Arrows miss out on chance to close the gap to ‘Downs

by Graeme Jackson

Saturday Apr 03, 2021. 19:30

Golden Arrows missed out on the chance to close to within one point of Mamelodi Sundowns as they were held 1-1 by Swallows FC in one of three DStv Premiership matches played across South Africa on Saturday 3 April.

The Durban side looked set to claim a smash-and-grab win in the early game at Dobsonville Stadium thanks to Seth Parusnath’s goal just past the midway point of the first half, but the Birds struck back deep in injury time through veteran Vuyo Mere to salvage a share of the spoils.

The result is still a worrisome one for Swallows, who have now gone nine league matches without a win, though they did at least retain their unbeaten home record in 2020-21.

The later kick-offs produced one bland 0-0 draw between Cape Town City and Baroka – though this game did feature a ‘miss of the season’ contender from Bakgaga’s Evidence Makgopa – while the other game saw a scintillating performance from Maritzburg United.

The KwaZulu-Natal thrashed fellow strugglers Chippa United 5-1 to open up a four-point buffer themselves and the relegation playoff spot.

The Team of Choice’s potentially season-changing showing was inspired by a first-half brace from Thabiso Kutumela (who has now scored six goals in United’s last five league games), while Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Tebogo Tlolane and Jose Ali Meza added to the score line in the second stanza.

The DStv Premiership will continue on Sunday 4 April with two matches: Bloemfontein Celtic at home to TS Galaxy and in-form AmaZulu visiting bottom-of-the-log Black Leopards.

DStv Premiership results, Saturday 3 April

Swallows FC 1-1 Golden Arrows

Maritzburg United 5-1 Chippa United

Cape Town City 0-0 Baroka FC