It wasn't the most triumphant debut but a successful one nonetheless as newly appointed Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi and his side claimed a point off Betway Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday.
Unceremoniously sacked by Sundowns earlier this season, the club he served for well over ten years, Mngqithi's charges defended admirably and picked their moments in a 1-1 draw at the Hammarsdale Stadium in KwaZulu-Natal province. Arrows opened the scoring with a set piece gut punch when Keenan Phillips headed in a free kick service from Sbonelo Cele.
Sundowns did respond before halftime and it was in form Brazilian playmaker Lucas Ribeiro, just anointed the Player of the Month for February in the league, who leveled in style. A Panenka penalty kick restored parity, continuing a dominant stretch for the Brazilian who now has 8 goals and 4 assists in his last 11 matches. However it was not enough for maximum points as Masandawana could not find a winner in the second half.
Second placed Orlando Pirates took advantage to close the sizable gap between them and Sundowns. A rare goal from defensive leader Nkosinathi Sibisi was all the Bucs needed in a 1-0 victory at Chippa United, decreasing Sundowns' lead to sixteen points. A Relebohile Mofokeng corner kick found Sibisi at the near post for a headed goal just before halftime.
The task of catching Sundowns continues to look formidable but Pirates still have played four less matches than the defending champions and will hope to keep racking up victories. Elsewhere, draws reigned supreme in the other matches while relegation fighters Richards Bay picked up an important victory against top-5 side Sekhukhune United with a 2-1 result.
Wednesday Results
SuperSport United 0-0 AmaZulu
Richards Bay 2-1 Sekhukhune United
Chippa United 0-1 Orlando Pirates
Cape Town City 1-1 TS Galaxy
Golden Arrows 1-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
League Table (Top-8)
GP | Points | |
Mamelodi Sundowns | 21 | 55 |
Orlando Pirates | 17 | 39 |
Stellenbosch | 19 | 31 |
Sekhukhune United | 20 | 31 |
Polokwane City | 20 | 31 |
AmaZulu | 21 | 30 |
TS Galaxy | 21 | 29 |
Kaizer Chiefs | 20 | 28 |
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