Chiefs pay the penalty in Arrows draw
Lebo Maboe sees his spot kick saved as Amakhosi again can't beat Arrows.
Kaizer Chiefs suffered another setback in their title pursuit as they drew 0-0 with Golden Arrows at Mbombela Stadium on Sunday. This goalless draw follows a 1-0 defeat for Chiefs in the MTN8 quarterfinals in August, leaving them without a goal since then. Despite a penalty kick in the Betway Premiership, Chiefs couldn't find the back of the net.
Thakazani Mbanjwa made a crucial save to deny Lebohang Maboe's penalty, and Chiefs struggled to trouble Arrows' goalkeeper. Renaldo Leaner, filling in for the injured Brandon Petersen, showcased a remarkable first-half save to thwart Junior Dion. Chiefs dominated the first half, with Mfundo Vilakazi missing a header and Maboe failing to hit the target.
Arrows nearly scored in the ninth minute, with Dion volleying a cross towards goal, but Leaner made a brilliant save. The home side equalized in the 21st minute when Faiz Abrahams, making his first start for Chiefs, failed to connect with a cross from Sabelo Sithole. Arrows equalized in the 33rd minute via a penalty awarded after Ntandoyenkosi Mabaso fouled Faiz Abrahams in the box.
However, the home side couldn't capitalize on subsequent opportunities. Pule Mmodi's effort was deflected for a corner, and substitute Mduduzi Shabalala's cross went unclaimed by Mmodi. The second half began with Nqobile Dlamini and Thabo Moloisane receiving yellow cards. Arrows had a promising chance in the 72nd minute, but Dion headed over.
Chiefs had a late opportunity, with Vilakazi's volley hitting the crossbar. In stoppage time, Ronaldo Van Neel's cross sailed wide, leaving the match goalless.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
