Kaizer Chiefs held by Golden Arrows after Maboe penalty miss

Kaizer Chiefs were held to a goalless draw by Golden Arrows in their Betway Premiership match at Mbombela Stadium on Sunday.

Chiefs had the clearest opportunity to break the deadlock when Faiz Abrahams was fouled in the penalty area in the 33rd minute. Golden Arrows goalkeeper Thakazani Mbanjwa dived to his right to save Lebohang Maboe’s spot kick.

The result meant Chiefs again failed to beat Arrows after losing 1-0 to the KwaZulu-Natal side in the MTN8 quarter-finals in August.

Leaner impresses in Chiefs goal

Renaldo Leaner started in place of the injured Brandon Petersen and produced a sharp first-half save to keep out Junior Dion’s volley.

Chiefs began brightly but struggled to turn possession into clear chances. Mfundo Vilakazi headed over early and Maboe also missed the target from the edge of the penalty area.

Arrows responded after Bradley Cross lost possession, allowing Philani Kumalo to cross for Dion. Leaner reacted quickly to keep out the forward’s powerful effort. Dion later failed to connect cleanly with a cross from Sabelo Sithole.

Arrows appealed for a penalty when Osborn Maluleke went down under a challenge from Cross, but referee Jelly Chavani booked Maluleke for simulation.

The second half produced more bookings than clear openings. Maluleke headed over from an Ayabulela Maxwele cross, while Chiefs substitute Mduduzi Shabalala created a chance that Pule Mmodi sent across goal.

Vilakazi then struck a volley into the turf and off the crossbar. Arrows should have won it in stoppage time, but Thokozani Khulamo steered Ronaldo Van Neel’s cross wide with the goal open.

The draw added another setback to Chiefs’ early league title challenge, while Arrows took a point after denying Amakhosi for the second time this season.