Golden Arrows bounced back to winning ways when they claimed a 1-0 win over Kaizer Chiefs in a Betway Premiership match at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday.
The victory elevated Abafana Bes'thende to the fifth spot in the league standings after snapping a three-match winless run, and the KZN side will be looking to make it two wins in a row when they square off with TS Galaxy on 18 January.
Golden Arrows secure an important victory in Durban to leap over Amakhosi in the #BetwaySA standings ⚽🔥
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) January 12, 2025
For Chiefs, it's back to the drawing board ➡️#SSDiski pic.twitter.com/jn4Djdy11q
Chiefs, on the other hand, slipped down to the sixth spot in the standings after recording their second defeat in 2025 and coach Nasreddine Nabi will be determined to ensure Amakhosi return to winning ways when they take on Sekhukhune United on 19 January.
Amakhosi got off to a bright start with Tebogo Potsane looking lively and the diminutive attacker forced goalkeeper Ismail Watenga into making a decent save a few minutes into the game as the home side looked to take an early lead.
Abafana Bes'thende had a rare chance in the 22nd minute, but Sbonelo Cele's attempt was saved by keeper Bruce Bvuma. Chiefs nearly grabbed the lead on the stroke of halftime when Inacio Miguel's header from close range was saved by Watenga and the score was 0-0 at the interval.
The deadlock was broken 11 minutes into the second-half when Bvuma spilt the ball and Gladwin Shitolo made no mistake as the former Orlando Pirates star hit the back of the net to hand Arrows a 1-0 lead, his first goal since April 2024.
Kaizer Chiefs are behind once again courtesy of Gladwin Shitolo 🫨⚽
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) January 12, 2025
📺 Stream #BetwayPrem on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc @Betway_za pic.twitter.com/h8L7ftHWaT
Nabi reacted by introducing Pule Mmodi in the 61st minute and the speedy winger came close to scoring against his former side. Mmodi's effort beat Watenga, but the ball hit the upright and Arrows held on to secure a 1-0 win on the day.
Chiefs 0
Arrows 1 (Shitolo 56')
CHIEFS: Bvuma, Cross, Blom (Frosler 46'), Miguel, Ditlhokwe, Mthethwa, Maart (Ngcobo 61'), Potsane (Chivaviro 46'), Vilakazi (Mmodi 61'), Shabalala (Matlou 66'), Duba
ARROWS: Watenga, Shitolo (Malinga 64'), Phillips (Theron 46'), S.Cele, Dube, Van Rooi (Ncube 73'), Mantshiyane, Ndwandwe, Sibiya (Zwane 80'), Mthanti, Moon (Lukhele 64').