Arrows, Maritzburg share the spoils in derby clash

by Graeme Jackson

Sunday Dec 17, 2017. 17:26

The KwaZulu-Natal derby between Golden Arrows and Maritzburg United ended in a 0-0 draw on Sunday.

The Absa Premiership clash at the Princess Magogo Stadium saw neither bafana Bes’thende nor the Team of Choice able to really establish dominance and create the kind of scoring opportunities needed to earn all three points on offer.

Arrows were the more enterprising team through the first half, with the likes of Knox Mutizwa, Thomas Chideu and Kudakwashe Mahachi all having efforts at goal - though in truth they rarely tested United goalkeeper Richard Ofori.

The same could be said for Nkosingiphile Gumede at the other end of the field, with Maritzburg unable to really put together any periods of pressure. Their best chance arrived late in the half when defender Brian Onyango got on the end of a free kick, but ended up scooping an awkward effort over the target.

The Team of Choice almost claimed the lead early in the second half when Mohau Mokate beat Gumede to a long ball but wasn’t able to steer his effort on goal, with the ‘keeper doing just enough to distract the away attacker.

On 66 minutes Mokate was guilty of missing another great chance, as he put a free header from an Evans Rusike cross wide of the near post, while a short while later the Zimbabwean had a poor first touch when he looked to be clean through on goal.

The last notable attacking highlight saw Gumede tip a Maboe shot over the crossbar in injury time, with the provincial rivals settling for a share of the spoils to wrap up their league programmes for the year 2017. United and Arrows stay in ninth and 10^th place respectively, both on 18 points.

Golden Arrows 0

Maritzburg United 0

Arrows: Gumede, Mngwengwe, Mzava, Dube, Nonyane (Nkombelo 73’), Ndwandwe (Magubane 70’), Bilankulu, Sibiya, Mahachi, Mutizwa, Chideu (Lamola 57’)

Maritzburg: Ofori, Wiedliech, Fransman, Onyango, Sanoka, Ndlovu, Makaringe, Maboe, Mokate (Van Wyk 71’), Mekoa (Shandu 72’), Rusike (Fileccia 90+2’)