Mutizwa Strikes Late as Arrows Edge Chiefs in Thriller
Kaizer Chiefs’ frustrating season continued on Saturday as Golden Arrows snatched a dramatic 2-1 victory in a pulsating Betway Premiership encounter at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Despite dominating possession for large spells, Amakhosi failed to make their control count, allowing Arrows to capitalize on key moments—including a late Knox Mutizwa winner that sealed the deal for the Durban-based side.
The visitors started brightly, with Nkosingiphile Ngcobo nearly making an early breakthrough in the fifth minute, but his shot from a Dillan Solomons cross flashed wide.
A golden opportunity arrived soon after when Makabi Lilepo was brought down in the box by Thokozani Lukhele. But fortune favored Arrows as Yusuf Maart’s penalty clattered against the post, keeping the game goalless and shifting the momentum in the hosts’ favor.
Buoyed by the let-off, Arrows pressed forward. Angelo Van Rooi and Nduduzo Sibiya both tested Chiefs’ Bruce Bvuma, though the goalkeeper remained untroubled.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 25th minute when Sibiya slotted home from close range after a well-placed pass from Mutizwa, giving Arrows a 1-0 advantage.
Chiefs, however, responded swiftly. Just four minutes later, Maart made up for his penalty miss by slotting in a Gaston Sirino through ball, leveling the score at 1-1 and setting up an exhilarating contest.
Both sides made changes at halftime, with Arrows bringing on Sbonelo Cele and Thabani Zuke, while Chiefs replaced Thabo Cele with Sibongiseni Mthethwa.
Van Rooi squandered a big chance for Arrows in the 52nd minute, and Chiefs suffered a scare when Bvuma went down injured, though he managed to continue.
The decisive moment arrived in the 78th minute. A scramble in the Chiefs’ penalty area saw Mutizwa react quickest, firing a low left-footed strike past Bvuma to restore Arrows’ lead at 2-1.
With time running out, Chiefs threw everything forward. The introductions of Wandile Duba and Mduduzi Shabalala added fresh legs in attack, but Arrows’ defense, marshaled by goalkeeper Edward Maova, held firm.
When the final whistle blew, Chiefs had registered 12 goal attempts and controlled 57% possession, yet Arrows’ efficiency proved the difference.
This crucial win lifts Arrows to 10th place with 27 points from 20 matches, while Chiefs, stuck in eighth with 29 points from 23 games, face increasing pressure in their pursuit of a top-four finish.
For Arrows, it’s a victory to savor—one that reaffirms their resilience. For Chiefs, it’s another case of what could have been.