Posted in Match Report, News on Mar 19, 2022.
Kaizer Chiefs (0) 0
Golden Arrows(1) 1 (Mutizwa 5’)
An early defensive lapse by Erick Mathoho allowed Knox Mutizwa to score the game’s only goal, with a deft chip in the fifth minute to see Chiefs fall 1-0 to Golden Arrows in a DStv Premiership clash at FNB Stadium on Saturday evening.
The loss hampers Chiefs hopes of climbing into second spot on the standings, despite clawing their way back into the game with a number of opportunities.
Chiefs fell to their first home league loss against Golden Arrows in over a decade.
Golden Arrows took the lead after just five minutes when Mutizwa made the most of a misplaced short pass by Erick Mathoho and picked up the loose ball, and delicately chipped it over Bruce Bvuma, who could not get back in time as he watched the ball sail over his head as Arrows took the lead.
Chiefs, in an effort to get back immediately into the game, took the enterprising route as Phathutshedzo Nange managed to pick up the ball and ran with it, before lifting it over the Arrows defence, where he found Khama Billiat who was thwarted by a combination of Arrows keeper Nkosingiphile Gumede and Thabani Zuke in the 7th minute.
Amakhosi kept up their dominance until the quarter-hour mark and had a host of opportunities to have drawn level.
Nange’s drive from distance was deflected for a corner after he was set up by Samir Nurković.
Daniel Cardoso, despite his best efforts, could not get a boot onto Bernard Parker’s free kick from the left.
The visitors in the 25th minute, though, had a wonderful opportunity to double their lead, Mutizwa lofting the ball to Mmodi and sending him clear on goal, but he went for power trying to drive the ball past Bvuma, who stood tall to get a block on the ball and send it out for a corner.
Three minutes later and a well worked Arrows move saw Mutizwa allow the ball to run after being set up by Nduduzo Sibiya and the chance went begging in the 28th minute.
Just past the half-hour mark Keagan Dolly sent a free kick over the Arrows wall and it went just over Gumede’s goal, skimming the top of his net. The action was relentless with Sibiya sending the ball wide from the left just past Bvuma’s right hand upright.
In the 39th minute Chiefs were unfortunate not to have found themselves level. Nange went for goal with a well taken effort on the half volley which Gumede got in the way of and clawed it away. Four minutes before the end of the half and Bvuma got down low to stop Sbonelo Cele’s free kick from the right from creeping in, as the Chiefs keeper did well with Arrows players bearing down on him.
A frantic first half with end-to-end chances ended with Arrows leading 1-0.
Chiefs began the first half with attacking intentions and their first real chance came just after the hour mark when Reeve Frosler’s pin-point ball from the left came curling in towards goal. Bernard Parker lunged at the ball and connected with it, but Gumede stood his ground and was able to stop the ball from passing him.
Khama Billiat was involved in a nasty clash of heads around 10 minutes later and had to leave the field for Sabelo Radebe in the 80th minute.
Arrows rode out the Chiefs pressure as Amakhosi could not turn their clear dominance into goals, as Chiefs now look ahead to their next league clash against Chippa United on the 2nd April away from home.
MVP – Chiefs did not give up despite conceding an early goal and did try to break down an Arrows team who defended in numbers. There were notable performances from Bruce Bvuma, Reeve Frosler, Samir Nurković and skipper Bernard Parker, while Keagan Dolly did his best to unlock the Arrows defensive door.
What Next – Chiefs are back in DStv Premiership action at the start of April when they travel to face Chippa United on the 2nd of next month.
Line-ups:
Chiefs XI: Bvuma (44); Mathoho (3) (Dube 46’), Frosler (39), Cardoso (4), Nj Ngcobo (27), Blom (45), Nange (24) (Ngezana 46’), Parker © (25), Dolly (10) (Nk. Ngcobo 74’), Billiat (11) (Radebe 80’), Nurković (9)
Subs Not Used: Akpey (40), Zuma (28), Baccus (6), Manyama (21), Mashiane (19),
Coach: Stuart Baxter
Cautions: 25. Bernard Parker 59’
Arrows XI: N. Gumede (32); Sibisi © (29), Ndlovu (37), Matshiyane (35), Zuke (15), Mmodi (13) (Magawana 90+6’), Dlamini (24), Dube (23) (Ndwandwe 90’), Cele (30) (Conco 71’), Sibiya (11), Mutizwa (18) (M. Gumede 71’),
Subs Not Used: Mbaeva (1); Fikizolo (34), Mtshali (7), Nxadi (27), Magubane (26)
Cautions: 13. Nqobeko Dlamini 30’, 37. Siyavuya Ndlovu 38’
Coaches: Lehlohonolo Seema
