Arrows, Chiefs play out engrossing stalemate

Phabonke Mbatha and Mfundo Vilakazi © Backpagepix

Golden Arrows and Kaizer Chiefs played to an engrossing 0-0 draw in their Betway Premiership match at the Mbombela Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Despite the lack of goals, this was a clash of two attack-minded teams that provided plenty of highlights – though the Amakhosi will feel frustrated at not taking all three points after they missed a penalty and struck the frame of Abafana Bes’thende’s goal.

The result left Chiefs in fourth place on the log with 13 points from seven league outings, while Arrows were eighth with eight points from the same number of matches.

The teams traded half chances and promising moments through the opening phase of the match, before Arrows created the first genuine opportunity in the 21st minute: Sabelo Sithole whipped in a fine cross from the left to pick out Sede Junior Dion in the penalty area, but the Ivorian striker failed to make a meaningful connection, with only goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner to beat.

Chiefs were awarded a penalty just past the half-hour mark when Ntandoyenkosi Mabaso needlessly tripped up Faiz Abrahams, who was moving away from goal. Lebohang Maboe took the spot kick, but saw his shot turned away by a brilliant save from Arrows goalkeeper Thakasani Mbanjwa.

The teams then swapped spells of attacking pressure through the remainder of the first half, with Arrows looking slightly more dangerous thanks to their speed on the counterattack, but the interval arrived with the score still locked at 0-0.

Abafana Bes’thende looked to use their width and pace to further pressure Chiefs in the second half, though goalkeeper Leaner proved adept at punching away crosses – albeit with some physical collisions to endure in the process.

The Amakhosi, inspired by the growing influence of Mfundo Vilakazi, began to dial up the attacking pressure in the final quarter hour – including the young midfielder striking the crossbar with a bouncing effort that was beyond the reach of Mbanjwa in the Arrows goal.

Yet Abafana Bes’thende should have won the match with a goal in the 90th minute, as substitutes Ronaldo Van Neel and Thokozani Khumalo combined, but the latter shot wide with only the goalkeeper to beat after a fine cross from the former.

The teams will return to Premiership action in October, with Arrows at home to Milford, and Chiefs hosting Stellenbosch FC.

Golden Arrows 0

Kaizer Chiefs 0

Arrows: Mbanjwa, Shezi, Agnikoi, Mabaso, Maluleke, Zwane (T. Khumalo 74’), Dlamini, Maxwele, Sithole (Van Neel 66’), P. Khumalo (Gasa 66’), Dion (Booysen 87’)

Chiefs: Leaner, Frosler, Moloisane, Miguel, Cross, Mthethwa, Maboe (Mtasingwa 60’), Vilakazi, Abrahams (Shabalala 60’), Mmodi (Velebayi 77’), Baartman (Ighodaro 77’)

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