Polokwane hold Arrows in Durban

Rodney Ramagalela of Polokwane City

Wednesday Aug 29, 2018. 21:45

Polokwane City fought back to hold Golden Arrows to a 1-1 draw in an Absa Premiership match at Princess Magogo Stadium on Wednesday evening.

It’s a second stalemate in a row for Abafana Bes’thende, whose goal was scored by Nkanyiso Mngwengwe, while Rise and Shine record their first draw of the season thanks to Rodney Ramagalela’s equaliser.

Arrows earned an early penalty when winger Siboniso Congo was tripped up the 18-yard area, but Limbikani Mzava’s spot kick was well saved by George Chigova in the sixth minute.

The Durban side didn’t dwell on the missed opportunity for long and went ahead in the seventh minute through defender Nkanyiso Mngwengwe, who powered home a header from a corner kick.

Polokwane stepped up their game after going behind and created several chances to get back on level terms, though they were unable to really test Arrows goalkeeper Nkosingiphile Gumede.

That was until the 41st minute, when City’s Rodney Ramagalela got the better of the gloves-man with a right-footed effort to ensure the game was level at 1-1 heading into the half-time break.

Abafana Bes’thende made a double change at the start of the second stanza, introducing Wayde Jooste and Danny Phiri, and they tested Chigova early on with a free kick from Knox Mutizwa which was well saved.

The hosts continued to build pressure, pulling more saves out of the Polokwane ‘keeper and also hitting the crossbar, while City’s attacking ambitions were mostly reduced to sporadic counter attacks.

Despite this, the Limpopo side neatly went ahead in the 70th minute through substitute Bongile Booi, but he was denied by a five save from Gumede.

The teams will wait until the middle of next month to return to league action, with Polokwane at home to Free State Stars and Arrows away to Highlands Park.

Golden Arrows (1) 1 (Mngwengwe 7’)
Polokwane City (1) 1 (Ramagalela 41’)

Arrows: Gumede, Sibisi, Mzava, Mngwengwe, Lunga, Sibiya (Jooste 46’), Molefe (Phiti 46’), Venter, Conco (Joao Moreira 78’), Mutizwa, Lamola

Polokwane: Chigova, Manaka, Mbonani, Motloung, Hlongwane, Seabi, Phiri, J. Maluleke, Ramagalela, Musona (Booi 46’), Anas