Arrows draw but remain at the summit

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Saturday Sep 30, 2017. 17:18

Golden Arrows continued with their unbeaten run the Absa Premiership when they drew 1-1 against Chippa United on Saturday afternoon at Princess Magogo Stadium.

For Abafana Best'hende, it was Knox Mutizwa who netted for the hosts as they sit at number one on the log with 12 points from seven league games.

For the Chilli Boys, Katlego Mashego's fine set piece ensured they claimed a point on the road.

Although there were no goals in the opening 10 minutes and no clear-cut opportunities, the hosts displayed a good interchange of passes going forward.

Resulting from the move, Kudakwashe Mahachi tried a long range shot, yet it went over goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi's crossbar.

In trying to make a quick response, Moloi's side pushed forward and it was Kurt Lentjies whose attempt went wide after a brilliant interchange of passes in the 27th minute.

With three minutes to go to the tunnel, Abafana Bes'thende allowed the visitors more space as they attacked, but Lentjies failed to hit the target from a well-struck shot at goal.

A few minutes later, Chippa fouled Musa Bilankulu and Lerato Lamola's efforts from a set piece were saved when Akpeyi produced a double save.

It was 0-0 at half time.

Coach Clinton Larsen's men came back with more purpose as Siphelele Magubane attempted a shot at goal and Akpeyi easily collected the effort.

The 54th minute saw the Port Elizabeth-based side breaking the deadlock when Mashego found the back of the net against the run of play from his traditional set piece to beat Nkosingiphile Gumede.

Larsen introduced Mutizwa and the Zimbabwean made an immediate impact when his shot beat Akpeyi, but it went wide.

A minute later, Mutizwa managed to beat Akpeyi and made it 1-1 with a beautiful header and ensured the thrilling encounter remained an open affair.

The visitors pushed for their second goal and substitute Mahlatse Makudubela tried to chip Gumede, but the keeper read the situation and punched the ball away in the 78th minute.

It was end-to-end stuff in the final 10 minutes, but Wayde Jooste and Sibiya's combination failed to yield the desired results in front of goal.

In the wake of the result, Moloi's side now occupies the 10th spot with seven points from as many matches so far.

Golden Arrows (0) 1 (Mutizwa 65')
Chippa United (0) 1 (Mashego 54')

Golden Arrows: Gumede, Dube, Mngwenge, Mzava, Nkombelo, Bilankulu, Cele (Mutizwa 58'), Sibiya, Mahachi, Magubane (Jooste 78'), Lamola

Chippa United: Akpeyi, Mako, Konqobe, Okwuosa, Zuke, Maphanga, Mabaso (Mdlinzo 52'), Mashego (Makudubela 75'), Lentjies, Sekola (Manzini 60'), Macheke