Golden Arrows stunned Kaizer Chiefs in the Absa Premiership after claiming a 2-1 victory at the Princess Magogo Stadium on Saturday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.
The Glamour Boys came in to this encounter high in confidence after claiming a convincing 4-0 victory over Zimamoto in their Caf Confederation Cup preliminary round first leg on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Abafana Bes’thende returned to Absa Premiership action having last played on 10 November when they fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Baroka.
Amakhosi got off to a good start and looked comfortable on the ball in the opening exchanges of the match.
The visitors nearly broke the deadlock in the 20th minute when Kabelo Mahlasela latched on to a rebound ball before trying to lob Arrows shot-stopper Maximilian Mbaeva, but the midfielder’s effort sailed wide of the target.
Arrows were then awarded a penalty seven minutes later after Eric Mathoho brought Lerato Lamola down in the area. Limbikani Mzava stepped up and made no mistake from the spot kick.
Chiefs then conceded another penalty in quick succession after Teenage Hadebe fouled Siboniso Conco in the box. Mzava converted from the spot to score his second goal in the game.
The home side held on to heir 2-0 lead over Chiefs as the game went into the half time interval.
Arrows came out strong in the second half, but failed to conjure up any clear cut chances in the final third.
At the other end, Amakhosi attempted to catch Arrows on the counter when Khama Billiat found himself in space on the edge before unleashing a shot at goal, but his effort sailed wide of the target.
Chiefs eventually pulled a goal back after 61 minutes when Leonardo Castro pounced on a failed clearance by Arrows to find the back of the net, 2-1.
The tempo of the game slowed down in the last 10 minutes with much of the play taking place in the midfield.
With three minutes to play, Billiat looked to conjure up something special when he produced a strike at goal, but Mbaeva tipped his shot away to safety.
However, Arrows managed to hold on to their 2-1 lead over Chiefs until the final whistle to secure all three points at the Princess Magogo Stadium.
