Following the final instalment of the KwaZulu-Natal Derby in the Betway Premiership this season, AmaZulu and Golden Arrows had to settle for a 1-1 draw in their latest league assignment at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Wednesday night.
Amid a tense battle for the ball during large parts of the match, both sides needed goals from corners to affect the scoreline, with Sandile Mthethwa scoring for AmaZulu in the first half, while Jerome Karelse scored a last-gasp equaliser in the dying seconds.
Arrows started the game as the brighter side and created scoring opportunities through the likes of Angelo van Rooi and Siyanda Ndlovu, who troubled the AmaZulu backline. Ndlovu had the first real sight of goal after unleashing a shot from outside the area that Olwethu Mzimela subsequently saved.
However, AmaZulu broke the deadlock in the 17th minute after profiting from a corner situation as Mthethwa met Nkosikhona Radebe’s delivery into the area with a header from close range.
Abafana Bes’thende piled on the pressure midway through the first half as seen with a headed attempt by Ntandoyenkosi Mabaso in the 21st minute, followed by a shot inside the area by Thokozani Khumalo that was blocked en route to goal.
Despite Arrows recording the majority of shots at goal toward the end of the first half, AmaZulu managed to see out the first 45 unscathed.
Arrows came out firing at the restart with Themba Mantshiyane producing a right-footed shot inside the 18-yard area after a swift passing move in the attacking third. In a separate attempt, Radebe once again had a pop at AmaZulu’s goal after striking the ball from distance as Edward Maova did well to save the 54th-minute shot.
While chances were few and far between for AmaZulu throughout the second half, both Mondli Mbanjwa and Athini Maqokola showcased their attacking intent with long-distance shots after the hour mark.
At the other end of the pitch, Arrows were fixed on scoring an equaliser late on with Ayabulela Maxwele and Sabelo Sithole spurring their team on with near misses.
Then, in virtually the last kick of the game, Arrows scored an equaliser in the 95th minute following a corner that Taariq Fielies conceded. With Nhlanhla Gasa on set-piece duty, Karelse was first to react as he converted his attempt with a header from close range to give his side a crucial point.
AmaZulu: (1) 1 (Mthethwa 17’)
Golden Arrows: (0) 1 (Karelse 95')
AmaZulu: Mzimela, Allan, Fielies, Mthethwa, Radebe, Zikhali (Zungu 84’), Hlangabeza, Hanamub, Maqokola (Mhlongo 95’), Matlhoko (Kutumela 69’), Mbanjwa (Kambindu 84’)
Golden Arrows: Maova, Mantshiyane (Mafuleka 76’), Mabaso, Jiyane, Shezi, Cisse, Msomi (Maxwele 46’), Zwane (Sithole 76’), van Rooi, Ndlovu (Gasa 46’), Khumalo (Karelse 46’)