Arrows hit the target to rule KZN again
Sibusiso Sibeko (second from right) celebrates after scoring for Golden Arrows on Sunday. Photo: Samuel Shivambu, BackpagePix Sibusiso Sibeko (second from right) celebrates after scoring for Golden Arrows on Sunday. Photo: Samuel Shivambu, BackpagePix
DURBAN – After a first-round draw and a cagey second-round league win for Golden Arrows, the KwaZulu-Natal derby bragging rights were again grabbed by Abafana Bes’thende in a 3-1 Nedbank Cup victory over Maritzburg United in KwaMashu on Sunday.
Arrows overcame their provincial neighbours, as well as the elements, to reach the last-16 of South Africa’s equivalent of the FA Cup.
They joined another Durban outfit, KwaDukuza United, who belied their amateur status to bump out PSL side Ajax Cape Town on penalties the day before.
For this second derby meeting in nine days at the same venue, the teams were pretty similar to the earlier league clash, which Arrows edged 1-0 – Maritzburg had two changes, Arrows three.
Arrows promised a different approach this time and they delivered. Unlike the league outing where they allowed Maritzburg to boss the ball, Arrows came out guns blazing.
They had a penalty appeal waved away by referee Victor Gomes in the opening minutes.
Striker Lerato Lamola was closed down in the box, and strike partner Knox Mutizwa had a goal ruled offside – all before the opening goal headed in by Sibusiso Sibeko in the 24th minute off a free kick by Nduduzo Sibiya.
The opener was similar to their league winner last weekend. Sibiya was again the free-kick taker, but on that occasion, Mutizwa headed in.
The visitors had their first sight of goal in the 30th minute when winger Deolin Mekoa attempted a speculative long-range strike.
Last week the roles were reversed, with Arrows winger Kudakwashe Mahachi taking his team’s first effort near the half-hour mark.
Incredibly, Arrows did the business against the wind. A stiff breeze made aerial passes a bit of a lottery at times, but then too Abafana Bes’thende ran amok to be 3-0 up at halftime.
Lamola banged in a shot in the 33rd minute and by the 41st, Mahachi ghosted into the box to drill a low drive in.
Arrows striker Lerato Lamola banged in a goal and was chosen as the man of the match. Photo: Samuel Shivambu, BackpagePix
Predictably, Arrows could afford to close shop and revert to their counter-attacking approach for the second half. Midfielders Thabo Molefe and Velemseni Ndwandwe took over from Mutizwa and Sibeko respectively.
Maritzburg had to go for broke, and the early introduction of winger Devon Saal for midfielder Bandile Shandu pointed to an all-out attack. Midway through the half, Saal was joined by Belgian striker Andrea Fileccia and Bryce Moon.
The Team of Choice pulled a goal back via Lebohang Maboe, but it will hardly serve as a consolation, given Arrows’ dominant display.
With a bit of composure, the home outfit might have snuck a goal or two on the break.
In the end, this biggest win of the season, bragging rights over their rivals, and a place in the next round was well deserved for the attacking approach Arrows adopted.