Defender Isaac Mabotsa picked up a back spasm injury as Kaizer Chiefs lost 1-0 to Golden Arrows on Wednesday. The Milo Park graduate is set to miss the Premier League clash against Santos in Cape Town on Sunday.

Mabotsa only stayed on the field for 21 minutes before he was replaced by Arthur Zwane due to injury. The arrival of Zwane gave Chiefs more attacking options as he started whipping in dangerous crosses from the right but good goalkeeping by Francis Chansa kept Amakhosi at bay.

Amakhosi displayed one of their finest performances against Arrows as they dominated play and displayed a degree of aggressiveness in front of goals but were once more let down by wayward shooting.

Jukulile battled upfront as a lone striker while midfielder Macamo battled to adjust to the firing position. Nzama adapted well in central midfield but he later drifted back into defence following the introduction of striker Kenny Niemach in place of defender Gary Goldstone.

It was a disappointing result for Amakhosi who had just signed a new partnership deal with Intercape Mainliner. But most disappointing following some encouraging words from club chairman Kaizer Motaung that the Glamour Boys were still in the title race.

Coach Muhsin Ertugral was equally disappointed after the game and was almost speechless. “What more can I say,” he said. “We played so well and dominated play but still could not put the ball in the net.”

Teams:

Golden Arrows: 44-Francis Chansa, 16-Nhlanhla Mncube, 4- Thulani Ndlovu, 28-Sheldon Roux, 5-Carlos Baute, 21-Thembinkosi Ncube (10-Lucky Sibeko 55th), 15-Sbusiso Mkhize, 6-Bheka Phakathi, 24-Tekano Ledimo, 20-Siza Dlamini, 30-Bonang Ngaka (14-Sibonelo Dladla 82nd).

Kaizer Chiefs: 1-Rowen Fernandez, 5-Patrick Mabedi, 29-Gary Goldstone (20-Kenny Niemach 61st), 24-Isaac Mabotsa (18-Arthur Zwane 21st), 14-David Kannemeyer, 4-Cyril Nzama, 28-Patrick Mbuthu, 10-Stanton Fredericks, 23-Jossias Macamo (11-Jabu Pule 50th), 8-Luke Jukulile.