Golden Arrows secured the bragging rights in the KwaZulu-Natal derby after defeating Maritzburg United 2-1 on Friday evening.
DStv Premiership
Result: Maritzburg United 1-2 Golden Arrows
Date: 25 February 2022
Venue: Harry Gwala Stadium
Maritzburg made two changes to the side that beat SuperSport United, as they recalled Ryan Rae and Zukile Kewuti while Arrows had four alterations from their loss against Cape Town City, as Pule Mmodi, Knox Mutizwa, Andile Fikizolo and Nkosinathi Sibisi bolstered the side.
Abafana Bes'thende were forceful going forward in the opening exchanges and Mmodi had a big chance to give them the lead in the 16th minute after going through on goal from Fikizolo's pass, one-on-one with goalkeeper Marcel Engelhardt but he scooped his shot over the crossbar.
The game opened up after that but it took up until just before the half-time break for a clear-cut opportunity, as Mutizwa latched onto flicked header by Fikizolo in the six-yard box but his first-time strike was smothered by Engelhardt.
Lehlohonolo Seema's charges had a perfect start in the second stanza, as Mutizwa broke the deadlock two minutes in with a glancing header at the near post off Themba Mantshiyane's cross.
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The game opened up as Maritzburg were threatening to get the equaliser and Ernst Middendorp made a tactical change 22 minutes before time as attacker Amadou Soukouna replaced Kewuti.
The Team of Choicegot their reward in the final 17 minutes through Alfred Ndengane, who got on the end of Daylon Claasen's cross to send a powerful header into the back of the net.
Maritzburg's joy was short-lived though, as Mutizwa restored the lead for Seema's men in the 82nd minute with a close-range finish at the back post after a cushioned header by Sbonelo Cele.
United continued to push forward in the dying minutes but they could not get past a deep block by Arrows, who held on to move within one point of a top eight spot, although they remain in tenth place.
Here's how they lined up:
Maritzburg: 31. Engelhardt, 17. Claasen, 5. Daniels, 8. Kewuti, 27. Ndengane, 2. Fernandes Pereira, 23. Lukhubeni, 42. Rae, 25. Human, 20. Samu, 9. Macheke
Subs: 32. Leaner, 25. Ismail, 24. Bhengu, 28. Palace, 12. Baloyi, 18. Njoti, 22. Skelem, 11. Soukouna, 22. Theron
Arrows: 32. N.Gumede, 29. Sibisi, 37. Ndlovu, 35. Mantshiyane, 11. Sibiya, 18. Mutizwa, 27. Nxadi, 23. L.Dube, 30.Cele, 34. Fikizolo, 13. Mmodi
Subs: 36. Mlungwana, 17. Conco, 20. Mathiane, 2. Gumbi, 7. Mtshali, 4. Khumalo, 19. Magawana, 26. Magubane, 33. M.Gumede
