Maboe Penalty Saved As Arrows Frustrate Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs dropped points for the second consecutive Betway Premiership match after being held to a disappointing 0-0 draw by Golden Arrows at Mbombela Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Amakhosi entered the encounter looking to return to winning ways after being held to a draw by Polokwane City in their previous league match.

Chiefs were also hoping to avenge their MTN8 quarter-final defeat to Abafana Besthende in August.

However, despite creating several opportunities, Chiefs were unable to find the back of the net as Arrows held on for a point.

Following the draw, Fernando Da Cruz’s side remain fourth on the Betway Premiership table with 13 points from seven matches.

The first half began at a high tempo, with both Chiefs and Arrows showing plenty of intensity and giving each other little time to settle into the game.

Chiefs were handed a major opportunity to take the lead in the 33rd minute after Faiz Abrahams was fouled inside the box by Ntandoyenkosi Mabaso, resulting in a penalty.

Lebohang Maboe stepped up to take the spot-kick, but Arrows goalkeeper Thakasani Mbanjwa produced an excellent save to deny his right-footed effort aimed towards the bottom-left corner.

Neither side managed to break the deadlock before the interval, with the score remaining 0-0 at half-time.

The second half continued at a similar pace, with Arrows creating the first major opportunity after the restart.

In the 55th minute, Nqobeko Dlamini got on the end of a set-piece delivery and attempted a header from the centre of the box, but his effort sailed over the crossbar.

Chiefs then began to create chances of their own, with Mfundo Vilakazi coming close in the 76th minute. The youngster attempted a left-footed effort from outside the box, but his shot missed the target.

Four minutes later, Vilakazi came close again after receiving the ball inside the box. His left-footed effort, however, struck the crossbar.

Both teams continued to push forward in search of a winning goal, but neither Chiefs nor Arrows could find the breakthrough.

The match eventually ended goalless, with the two sides sharing the points.

The result also marked the first time Chiefs and Arrows had played to a 0-0 draw since 23 September 2017, when Amakhosi were the home side at FNB Stadium.

Chiefs will now enter a break due to the FIFA international window, with one player from the club set to represent South Africa. Maboe has been included in the Bafana Bafana squad for the upcoming international fixtures.

Amakhosi will return to Betway Premiership action on 17 October when they host Stellenbosch at FNB Stadium, with Da Cruz’s side looking to return to winning ways.