Absa Premiership

Result: Arrows 0-0 Chiefs

Date: 06 April

Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium

Golden Arrows failed to take advantage of their extra man against 10-man Kaizer Chiefs as their controversy-laden Absa Premiership clash ended 0-0 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Referee Lwandile Mfiki took centre stage in the first half with his baffling decision to send of Reneilwe Letsholonyane.

After Chiefs had a goal incorrectly ruled off due to offside earlier in proceedings the match boiled over when ‘Yeye’ was shown a straight red card.

The first chance of the game came only a minute into proceedings when Tefu Mashamaite gave away a free-kick and received a yellow card.

Jabulani Nene’s set piece was decent but failed to test Itumeleng whilst at the other end Siyabonga Nkosi shot tamely at the keeper.

In the eighth minute Siphiwe Tshabalala turned and shot tamely although the ball ran through for Lehlohonolo Majoro who slid home only to have a legitimate goal chalked off for offside.

Tshepo Liphoko then forced Khune into a save whilst Mashamaite blocked the follow up shot with his arm.

Norman Smith drove into the box and bundled his way past a few challenges only for a sprawling challenge from Gaxa to delfect his shot behind.

The next chance went the way of the Amakhosi but although Majoro raced clear his touch took him slightly too wide and his shot sailed past the far post.

Just after the half hour mark controversy reigned as Letsholonyane received a straight red card for a late challenge on Liphoko that did not warrant anything more than a yellow.

Khune then went into the referee’s book for remonstrating with the official whilst things got heated on the sidelines with Stuart Baxter and Manqoba Mngqithi exchanging words.

The situation then spiralled out of control as a fan was able to make his way onto the field and attack the referee with a vuvuzela before security were able to pull him off.

With Arrows a man up Liphoko played a neat ball through to Smith who returned it to the youngster before the Chiefs defenders rushed back to cover.

Chiefs did not seem to be under too much pressure from that point on but an injury to Morgan Gould will be cause for concern as they try and preserve their 12-match unbeaten streak.

In the second period Mashamaite got his head to Tshabalala’s set piece and flicked it just wide of goal with the keeper flapping at thin air.

Most of the chances were going Chiefs’ was and Parker lined up a free kick but sent the ball billowing over the bar.

In the 68^th minute Tshabalala was crowded out in the box as he attempted to turn and shoot before Liphoko sent the ball across the face of goal at the other end.

With just over 10 minutes remaining Siboniso Gaxa had a magnificent chance to put his side ahead but ballooned the ball over the goal with only the keeper to beat.

With time running out Arrows began to commit more men forward and an excellent shot by the lively Liphoko forced Khune into a diving save.

In stoppage time Tsepo Masilela hit the ball straight at the keeper after selfishly going for goal after a slick interchange between Tshabalala and Majoro.

The final chance of the game also went the way of the Glamour Boys but Tshabalala could only find the side netting.

Arrows: Gumede, Sikhakhane, Sithole, Nene, Tom, Nguzana (Bovu 65’), Bilankulu (Ntuli 84’), Khuboni, Liphoko, Gabuza (Shange 59’), Smith.

Chiefs: Khune, Gaxa, Gould (Zvasiya 45’), Mashamaite, Masilela, Lebese (Baloyi 45’), Letsholonyane, Nkosi (Dladla 80’), Tshabalala, Majoro, Parker.

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