Golden Arrows moved up to eighth spot on the DStv Premiership standings after coming behind to defeat KwaZulu-Natal rivals AmaZulu 2-1 on Tuesday afternoon.
Result: AmaZulu 1-2 Golden Arrows
Date: 24 May 2022
Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium
Usuthu made three changes from the game that was abandoned over the weekend, as former Kaizer Chiefs defenders Philani Zulu and Kgotso Moleko alongside Andre De Jong were recalled while Arrows were unchanged, with Velemseni Ndwandwe leading the line.
Abafana Bes'thende had an enterprising start, as they opened up an Usuthu defence with ease but they were not clinical in front of goal.
Brandon Truter's charges came out of their shell towards the end of the first stanza, as Sphesihle Maduna, who scored in the game that was postponed, broke the deadlock five minutes before the half-time break with a powerful strike from a solo run in the box.
However, Arrows responded immediately thereafter, as Ndwandwe, who was also on target in the encounter that was called-off, made it 1-1 with side-footed a strike past goalkeeper Veli Mothwa unmarked in the box after a cross by Nduduzo Sibiya.
Thembela Sikhakhane had a big opportunity to restore the lead for AmaZulu with his first touch just before the hour-mark after a teasing cross by Zulu towards the back post but he guided a free header wide of the gaping net.
Arrows remained pinned back in their own half and Tercious Malepe almost made it 2-1 for Usuthu in the last 13 minutes with a strike from the edge of the box that took a nasty deflection and looped over the crossbar.
Mabhuti Khenyeza and Vusumuzi Vilakazi's men raised their game after that and were awarded a penalty nine minutes before time after Sikhakhane brought down Sibiya, who confidently converted the spot-kick.
Luvuyo Memela missed a good chance for AmaZulu in the dying minutes at the back post as Arrows held on to a win that took them up to eighth on the log while Usuthu lost for the first time under Truter.
Arrows will clinch a top eight spot if SuperSport United fail to beat Orlando Pirates with their game in hand on Monday.
AmaZulu: 44. Mothwa, 13. Zulu, 18. Moleko, 17. Gumede, 27. Xoki, 2. Mobara, 45. Buchanan, 23. Mlambo, 11. Memela, 34. Maduna, 14. De Jong
Subs: 43. Boshoff, 36. Kunene, 5. Sikhakhane, 22. Khumalo, 4. Malepe, 26. Magaqa, 28. Ekstein, 37. Shange, 29. Masuku
Arrows: 36. Mlungwana, 27. Nxadi, 19. Magawana, 30. Cele, 11. Sibiya, 12. Ndwandwe, 31. Mhlongo, 4. Khumalo, 13. Mmodi, 15. Zuke, 24. Dlamini
Subs: 32. N.Gumede, 20. Mathiane, 26. Magubane, 9. Sera, 37. Ndlovu, 17. Conco, 23. Dube, 18. Mutizwa, 25. Nkosi
