Knox Mutizwa scored a brace as Golden Arrows beat Maritzburg United 2-1 at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Friday’s only DStv Premiership fixture.
It was the first win for Arrows in seven games and they remain in tenth place, on 25 points. Maritzburg are seven points behind them in 12th place.
Maritzburg United 1-2 Golden Arrows
Tawanda Macheke was unable to get his ninth-minute header on target, and Macheke had another chance four minutes later, but this time the new Zimbabwean signing went wide.
Pule Mmodi shot over in the 17th minute, while Friday Samu was off target a minute later at the other end. Knox Mutizwa forced a good save from Marcel Engelhardt in the 36th minute, but it wouldn’t have counted as the Arrows striker was in an off-side position.
Ryan Rae came to Engelhardt’s rescue with a good clearance in the 40th minute, with the German goalkeeper caught out of position. Engelhardt saved from Andile Fikizolo two minutes later, and at the break it remained goalless.
But Arrows were in the lead two minutes into the second half, as Mutizwa headed Fikizolo’s cross past Engelhardt to make it 1-0.
Rowan Human went close with a long-range attempt in the 52nd minute, but Nkosi Gumede made a good save to deny the former Amajita captain. Gumede saved again from a headed attempt by Riyaaz Ismail.
Human went wide just after the hour mark, while Gumede saved Macheke’s effort in the 65th minute, as the home team looked to find an equaliser.
Arrows needed Gumede’s heroics to deny Macheke in the 72nd minute, but he could nothing a minute later when Alfred Ndengane headed in at the far post from the resulting corner.
Maritzburg thought they had a penalty in the 79th minute for a handball by Nduduzo Sibiya, but referee Michael Mosimeng was interested.
And Arrows were back in front in the 82nd minute as Mutizwa added his second, find himself in the right place at the right time to toe poke in at the far post. Good work from substitute Michael Gumede down the right, and it was his cross that led to the goal.
Engelhardt kept it 2-1 with a good save from Mmodi a minute later.
And Arrows were able to hold out for the victory in the KZN derby and take the three points back to Durban.
