An action-packed Betway Premiership KwaZulu-Natal derby at the King Zwelithini Stadium ended in a 1-0 win for Golden Arrows over Durban City FC on Saturday afternoon.
It was a game of two halves as the home side enjoyed the better of the first stanza, the Citizens the stronger team for much of the second period, though without a goal to show for it.
The first half started ina cagey mnner with little in the way of chances, but plenty of intensity and full-blooded challenges.
Having begun to build some momentum, the home side took the lead in the 37th minute when Nhlanhla Gasa got to the byline and pulled the ball back for Isaac Cisse, whose first-time curling shot flew past the diving Darren Keet and into the bottom corner.
Durban City were spurred into action after the setback and had a chance a few minutes later when Samkelo Maseko picked out Trevor Mokwena with a low cross, but some determined defending saw the latter’s shot blocked.
Maseko also created an opening for Thabo Nodada in first half added time the after a storming run down the right, but the experienced midfielder fired over the bar from 20-yards out.
The Citizens came out with renewed vigour after the restart. And after a couple of half chances, they looked set to equalise on the hour mark when Mokwena located Saziso Magawana with an inch-perfect cross. Magawana’s shot was purposeful and well-controlled and seemed to be heading for the net, only for a last-gasp challenge from Khulekani Shezi to deflect the ball away from goal.
The visiting team continued to dictate play and were not far off with a free kick from Luphumlo Sifumba which whistled over the bar.
Against the run of play, Arrows had a chance to score a second when Sabelo Sithole jinked his way into the box, but Keet was on hand to make a very good reflex save.
There were chances at both ends after that as Jean Lwamba flashed a header wide before a determined run from Zwane ended with Keet doing well to claw the shot over the goal.
With City pushing numbers forward for the equaliser, Abafana bes’Thende looked to hit on the counter-attack, but both Sithole and Lungelo Nguse were kept out by Keet in one-on-one situations.
At the other end, City tried hard to create more openings, but found themselves up against a resolute Arrows defence in the derby’s dying minutes.
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