Arrows prove too sharp for AmaZulu

DURBAN bragging rights will belong to Golden Arrows for quite some time after they blitzed AmaZulu 4-1 in a city derby at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu yesterday.

Four goals for Arrows wasn’t a true reflection of the possession stakes but it was an icing on the cake as two optional time strikes took them top of the table, ahead of Maritzburg United on goal difference.

Arrows forward Lerato Lamola was given a gift goal to set the tone for an attacking derby. He intercepted a lame pass by defender Tapelo Nyongo to goalkeeper Boalefa Pule to score the opener in the 19th minute. Arrows pretty much deserved the lead after pressuring the Usuthu defence from kickoff.

The equaliser came in the 34th minute after Manzini won a free-kick, which Ovidy Karuru swung in for Togolese defender Sadate Ouro-Akoriko to nod in.

AmaZulu were their own worst enemies, however, and again allowed Arrows to march ahead. Indecision between the Togo defender and left-back Simphiwe Mtsweni laid the welcome mat for midfielder Siphelele Magubane to race in unchallenged and drill in a low shot past stranded goalie Pule to retake the lead on 56 minutes.

It gave Arrows the boost they needed to get back into the clash after AmaZulu had subdued them with the equaliser. There was enough ammunition for AmaZulu too, helped by the second half introduction of winger Lungelo Dlamini for Darpoh. Later Mabhuti Khenyeza replaced fellow veteran Siyabonga Nomvethe to make for a twin attack with Manzini.

Khenyeza went close to equalising against his old side but his shot during a goalmouth scramble was blocked and a follow up attempt by Manzini hit the post.

Against the run of play Arrows sucker-punched their neighbours with a third as Mahachi sped into a one-onone duel Pule and slotted in before Knox Mutizwa capped his late second half introduction with Arrows’ second goal in optional time.