Carling Knockout: Golden Arrows set the pace after 4-0 win

Golden Arrows made the strongest statement of the Carling Knockout weekend by beating Chippa United 4-0 at the King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday.

The match was Mandla Ncikazi’s first in charge of Abafana Bes’thende after he replaced Pitso Dladla, whose surprising departure from Orlando Pirates came a few days earlier.

Ivory Coast striker Junior Sede Dion continued his excellent run of form by opening the scoring in the 10th minute. He rose to meet a corner and headed beyond Chippa goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

Dion turned provider 11 minutes later, setting up Sabelo Sithole for Golden Arrows’ second goal. The 24-year-old kept his composure to place the ball past Nwabali and give the KwaZulu-Natal side a comfortable half-time lead.

Nhlanhla Zwane added a third in the 82nd minute after racing on to a through ball. He rounded both the advancing Nwabali and a defender before finishing into an empty net.

Jerome Karelse completed the scoring two minutes later with a curling effort from the edge of the penalty area, leaving Nwabali with no chance.

Chippa, who are based in Gqeberha, must now turn their attention back to the Betway Premiership, where they have made a difficult start under coach Brando Truter.

Siwelele prevail on penalties

Polokwane City and Siwelele FC played out a goalless draw after extra time at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday evening.

Rise and Shine created opportunities but failed to convert them, with former coach Phuti Mohafe watching from the stands. Siwelele eventually won the penalty shoot-out 4-3 to reach the next round.

Ekstein penalty sends AmaZulu through

AmaZulu FC defeated Premiership newcomers Kruger United 1-0 at Mbombela Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

AmaZulu coach Arthur Zwane said in last week’s edition of Soccer Laduma that he believed the club deserved to win silverware this season. His side began their Carling Knockout campaign with victory after Pule Ekstein converted from the penalty spot in the 77th minute.

That proved to be the only goal of the match and secured Usuthu’s place in the next round.

Sekhukhune survive Richards Bay fightback

Sekhukhune United advanced to the quarter-finals after beating Richards Bay FC 3-1 in one of the weekend’s highest-scoring matches at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The teams were level at 0-0 at half-time before Chibuike Ohizu broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute for Babina Noko.

Substitute Thabang Makubo scored his first goal for Papi Zothwane’s side in the 82nd minute, finishing calmly from the edge of the box after a well-worked move.

Richards Bay reduced the deficit through Nqaba Xulu two minutes later, but Bethuel Muzeu restored Sekhukhune’s two-goal advantage with a header in the 87th minute.

With the Carling Knockout action summarised, you can now select your Team of the Week and compare it with the official Soccer Laduma selection.