Chippa United Stuns Golden Arrows with Commanding 2-0 Victory, Adding to Coach Khenyeza's Mounting

Chippa United Stuns Golden Arrows with Commanding 2-0 Victory, Adding to Coach Khenyeza's Mounting 

Photo: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images

In a thrilling Saturday evening clash, Chippa United showcased a remarkable performance, securing a decisive 2-0 victory against Golden Arrows. From the very start, the hosts dominated Abafana Bes'thende, leaving them struggling to find their rhythm throughout the match.

The turning point came in the 18th minute when Ronaldo Maarman unleashed a stunning free-kick into the top right corner, granting Chippa a one-goal advantage. Despite relentless pressure in the first half, Chippa faced challenges in clinical finishing, entering halftime with missed opportunities.

The second half continued with Chippa persistently pressing for a second goal, and it finally arrived in the 97th minute when Craig Martin sealed the deal, securing maximum points for the home team and dealing a setback to Arrows in their title contender aspirations.

Golden Arrows' coach, Mabhuti Khenyeza, now finds himself under increasing pressure after a string of poor results, with his team suffering five successive losses across all competitions. Khenyeza attributed the defeat to referee Thando Ndzanzeka, claiming a missed penalty opportunity that could have altered the course of the game.

Expressing frustration, Khenyeza stated, "You could see Chippa wanted to get something. But without taking anything away from them, I think before they scored, we were supposed to get a penalty." He further highlighted a historical issue with the same referee, referencing a previous season where a similar incident occurred.

Coach Khenyeza of Golden Arrows, drenched in sweat, seeks solace with a parched throat amidst the relentless pressure.

Despite acknowledging the inexperience of some players, Khenyeza emphasized, "The players are inexperienced, but that's not an excuse." As Golden Arrows assess their situation, the defeat serves as a significant blow to their standing in the upper half of the log standings, intensifying the challenges faced by the coach and the team as they seek solutions to reverse their current trajectory.