AmaZulu claim derby bragging rights thanks to Riaan Hanamub's rocket against Golden Arrows

Golden Arrows 0 (0)

AmaZulu 1 (0) Hanamub 56’

AmaZulu claimed the bragging rights once again as captain Riaan Hanamub’s thunderbolt secured a 1-0 derby win over Golden Arrows in Umlazi on Tuesday night — their third straight victory over their neighbours.

Hanamub delivered the decisive moment in the 56th minute with one of the goals of the season. Picking up the ball wide on the left, the Namibian full-back drifted inside and unleashed a spectacular right-footed strike that flew past Xolani Ngcobo and into the top corner, leaving the Arrows goalkeeper rooted.

The goal capped a fiercely contested derby that began with both sides showing attacking intent but failed to produce the goal rush many expected. Arrows and AmaZulu played at a high tempo from the outset, pushing forward aggressively and testing each other’s defensive organisation, yet neither was able to find the finishing touch.

The first major opening arrived in the 32nd minute when AmaZulu worked a slick move that forced Ngcobo into a sharp save. Arrows should have taken the lead moments before half-time after Player of the Month Siyanda Ndlovu burst into the box and won a penalty following a clumsy challenge.

Leading scorer — and former AmaZulu striker — Sede Dion stepped up but rattled his spot-kick off the crossbar, wasting the best opportunity of the half and sending both teams into the break frustrated.

Usuthu made two half-time changes, withdrawing Minenhle Mkhize — who had conceded the penalty — and striker Thandolwethu Ngwenya. The shift in structure helped swing control their way, and within 11 minutes of the restart, Hanamub struck the decisive blow.

Arrows responded by throwing bodies forward, but they were denied repeatedly by substitute goalkeeper Olwethu Mzimela, who replaced the injured Veli Mothwa late in the first half. Mzimela produced the standout moment of the closing stages with a brilliant double save in the 82nd minute, keeping Arrows at bay and preserving AmaZulu’s slender advantage.

AmaZulu’s victory briefly lifted them into a CAF position for the night, with Wednesday’s fixtures set to reshape the standings.

For Arrows, it was a night of missed chances in a derby that demanded more clinical finishing and that sees them finish the year outside the top eight in tenth place.