Arubi heroics breaks Arrows in thrilling CKO encounter

Marumo Gallants advanced to the final of the Carling Knockout Cup following a 4-2 win on penalties against Golden Arrows at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Golden Arrows saw most of the ball during the first 15 minutes of the match but did little to trouble Marumo Gallants' backline. At the other end of the pitch, Xolani Ngcobo was called into action on a couple of occasions, with Gallants making their attacking presence known.

Gallants looked dangerous at set-piece situations, more particularly with free-kicks on the edge of the area as the 20th minute made its way. Ngcobo once again kept his team in the game with a telling save in the 17th minute.

Arrows conceded another free-kick on the edge of their area in the 40th minute, which was subsequently saved by the Abafana Bes’thende goalkeeper.

While both sides created goal-scoring opportunities en route to the break, the game ended 0-0 at halftime.

The game sprang to life around 10 minutes into the new half after Arrows took the lead through Isaac Cisse in the 54th minute, after he guided home a loose ball on the line following a corner situation.

BACK AND FORTH

Gallants then drew level just two minutes later through Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo, before taking the lead from a goal by Daniel Msendami moments before the hour mark.

Not holding back, Arrows levelled matters in the 70th minute after a swift passing move toward the Gallants box. With the away side playing on the back foot, goalkeeper Washington Arubi had no answer for Nqobeko Dlamini’s classy left-footed curler.

Arrows came agonisingly close to taking the lead during stoppage time after Junior Dion forced a reaction save from Arubi following a corner. Nonetheless, the game ended at 2-2 with extra time needed to separate the two sides.

Abafana Bes’thende dominated throughout the extra-time period and created numerous goal-scoring opportunities in both halves. Arrows’ relentless attacking put Arubi under immense pressure all the way to the final whistle.

With the game going into penalties, Arubi pulled off two stunning saves to deny Brandon Theron and Thabo Matlaba while Ibrahim Bance netted the final spot kick to send his side through to the final.

Golden Arrows: (0) 2 (Cisse 54’, Dlamini 71’)

Marumo Gallants: (0) 2 (Ndlondlo 56’, Msendami 58’)

Marumo Gallants win 4-2 on penalties

GOLDEN ARROWS: Ngcobo, Mantshiyane, Cisse (Kobedi 62’), Madonsela (Theron 105’), Jiyane, Ndlovu (Shitolo 76’), Dlamini (Matlaba 76’), Cele, T.Khumalo (van Rooi 62’), Dion (Karelse 90’), Maxwele

MARUMO GALLANTS: Arubi, Sikhosana, Chabatsane, Nhlapho (Msendami 46’), Erone, Mabuza (Mhlongo 106’), Ndlondlo (Mofosse 83’, Manaka 106’), Otladisa (Clifford 73’), Sithole (Monde 73’), Bance, Ncube