Arrows win with Mbesuma brace

The first 45 minutes really lived up to derby status, and certainly did not disappoint in terms of goal mouth action. In total there were a combined 13 shots on goal by both sides.

The match got off to a fiery start with both sides set on attacking from the opening whistle. Arrows, though, got the better of the opening exchanges and had the first shot on target in the second minute.

Siyabonga Nkosi let rip with a powerful 20-yard shot, but Thembalethu Moses was at hand to make a good save for AmaZulu.

A minute later and Ayanda Dlamini should have given the home side the lead. Tshweu Mokoro provide a pin point cross to find the AmaZulu striker unmarked inside the box, but his six-yard shot only succeeded in finding the side netting.

Then in the seventh minute Arrows thought they took the lead when Norikazu Murakami found the back of the net after a well worked passing movement. The goal, however, was quickly disallowed as Murakami was ruled off-side.

Still, the visiting side only had to wait another three minutes before they did find the game’s opening goal.

Nkosi split the AmaZulu defence with a great through-ball for Collins Mbesuma. With only the 'keeper to beat, the veteran striker made no mistake and found the back of the net with a well placed shot.

After going a goal down, AmaZulu upped their effort and came close to drawing the game level in the 18th minute. Tangeni Shipahu curled a 20-yard free-kick around the wall and goalwards, but Helton Da Rocha was at his best producing a fantastic save to tip Shipahu’s effort around the post.

Lehlohonolo Majoro pulled the best out of Da Rocha just before the half time break when he met a Sibusiso Hadebe cross, but his effort was brilliantly parried around the post by the Arrows keeper. From the resulting corner, Da Rocha was called into action yet again, this time denying Hadebe from point-blank range.

The second half started much the same as the first began, with Arrows on the attack and getting the better of the play. In fact, it only took nine minutes into the second half before the visiting side grabbed their second goal.

Collins Mbesuma grabbed his brace with another clinical finish from 12-yards out that found the bottom right hand corner of the goal, 2-0.

Arrows' two goal lead, however, only lasted six minutes before Tangeni Shipahu pulled a goal back for AmaZulu. After some brilliant individual work by Shipahu he found himself in some space inside the 18-yard area and made no mistake with a powerful shot that found the back of the net, 2-1.

Six minutes later and Shipahu came within inches of drawing his side level when his 12-yard header struck the cross-bar and bounced away from danger for the home side.

It was a nervewracking final 20 minutes for Arrows as they tried desperately to hold onto their lead. Luckily for the visiting fans they were able to do so and walked away with the three points in what was certainly one of the most entertaining KZN derbies.

AmaZulu (0) 1 (Shipahu 60’)
Golden Arrows (1) 2 (Mbesuma 10’ + 54’)

Teams:

AmaZulu: Thembaletu Moses - Sboniso Gumede, Thamsanqa Teyise, Thamsanqa Sandweni, Tsweu Mokoro, Ayanda Dlamini, Ramson Zhuwawo, Andile Khumalo, Sibusiso Hadebe (Goodman Dlamini 62’), Tangeni Shipahu, Lehlohonolo Majoro

Arrows: Helton Da Rocha - Siyanda Zwane, Siyabonga Sangweni, Joseph Musonda, Mzivukiloe Tom, Njabulo Manqana (Masinga 82’), Siyabonga Nkosi, Thanduyise Khuboni, Itumeleng Duiker, Norikazu Murakami (Zothwane 67’), Collins Mbesuma (Gabuza 75’)