KZN Derby delight for Arrows as 10-man AmaZulu rescue point

It was a productive Saturday for KwaZulu-Natal’s top-flight residents as Golden Arrows secured a vital derby win over Durban City, while AmaZulu FC showed incredible character to snatch a point in Bloemfontein despite playing with 10 men on Saturday aftternoon.

Arrows Edge ‘The Citizens’ in Tight KZN Derby

Manqoba Mngqithi’s Golden Arrows took a massive step toward securing MTN8 football next season with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Durban City in the KZN Derby in the Betway Premiership at the King Zwelithini Stadium.

After being humbled 5-0 by Orlando Pirates in midweek, Abafana Bes’thende needed a reaction in the KZN Derby, and they found it through Ivorian striker Isaac Cisse. In the 37th minute, Nhlanhla Gasa turned provider with a pinpoint low cross that Cisse expertly converted for his third of the campaign.

Despite late pressure from the Nedbank Cup finalists—including heroics from Darren Keet to keep the scoreline respectable—Arrows held firm. The win moves Mngqithi’s men three points clear in eighth position, though they have played a game more than their nearest rivals, Stellenbosch FC. For Durban City, the KZN Derby defeat leaves them four points adrift of the CAF Confederation Cup spots.

10-MAN USUTHU SHOW GRIT TO SNATCH POINT IN BLOEMFONTEIN

FULL-TIME ⏰ | #BetwayPremiership 🏆

Mlondi Mbanjwa scored late on in Bloemfontein to ensure that Usuthu return to Durban with a point in hand.

Siwelele FC 1⃣ ➖ 1⃣ #AmaZuluFC#BetwayPremiership #HebeUsuthu #UsuthuTogether pic.twitter.com/fTjCQ7ijEj

— AmaZulu FC (@AmaZuluFootball) April 11, 2026

In Bloemfontein, AmaZulu FC maintained their pursuit of a top-three finish with a gutsy 1-1 draw against Siwelele FC (Bloemfontein Celtic) at the Dr Molemela Stadium.

The match looked to be slipping away from Usuthu when Vincent Pule headed the hosts in front on the half-hour mark. Things went from bad to worse for the visitors on the hour mark when Nkosikhona Radebe was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for what the referee deemed as simulation.

However, the numerical disadvantage seemed to galvanize AmaZulu. In the 81st minute, substitute Mlondi Mbanjwa capitalized on a rare defensive lapse by Pogiso Sanoka, stealing possession high up the pitch before firing past Ricardo Goss to level the scores.

The stalemate keeps AmaZulu in fourth place, level on points with third-placed Kaizer Chiefs, setting up a massive clash against Orlando Pirates next weekend.