Golden Arrows secured a top-eight finish in the Betway Premiership with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday afternoon.
The win lifted Abafana Bes’thende into sixth place on the league table, guaranteeing them a spot in next season’s MTN8.
The KwaZulu-Natal side will now look to round off a good campaign with a home win against TS Galaxy on May 23.
The Chilli Boys, on the other hand, remain in danger of relegation. The Eastern Cape side sit 13th, just one point above the drop zone, and will need a positive result away to Kaizer Chiefs on May 23 to secure their Premiership status.
Abafana Bes’thende dominated the match from the opening whistle and were clinical in front of goal. Isaac Cisse opened the scoring in the 17th minute with his fifth goal of the season, handing the Arrows a 1-0 lead.
The visitors doubled their advantage on the stroke of halftime when Junior Sede Dion scored his 15th goal of the season across all competitions. That goal also made him the league’s top scorer with 14 goals and Arrows led 2-0 at the interval.
Bienvenu Eva Nga was introduced at the start of the second half as the Chilli Boys pushed for a comeback, and the Cameroonian nearly made an instant impact.
However, he was denied by a well-positioned Edward Maova in the 51st minute.
In the latter stages, Arrows created several good chances, but Dumisani Msibi produced two decent saves in quick succession to deny Nhlanhla Gasa and Siyanda Mhlanti in the final seven minutes.
The game ended in a 2-0 victory for Arrows.
Chippa 0
Arrows (2) 2 (Cisse 17', Dion 45')
Chippa: Msibi, Ndlovu, Kammies, Sam (Philander 69'), Kwayiba (Eva Nga 46'), Mosele (Tshobeni 46'), Mobara, Seabi, Matrose, Konqobe (Sithole 46'), Figareido (Modise 85').
Arrows: Maova, Karelse (Madonsela 46'), Dlamini, Mabaso, Ndlovu, Mantshiyane (Mafuleka 72'), Jiyane (Comara 46'), Cisse (Msomi 63'), Dion (Gasa 77'), Shezi, Zwane