Photo Credit - Mamelodi Sundowns Media.
Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has revealed what denied his side an opportunity to beat champions Mamelodi Sundowns in a Betway Premiership fixture at Mupamalanga Stadium on Wednesday.
Taking charge of his first fixture, Mngqithi came back to haunt his former club after he masterminded a hard-fought 1-1 draw against the league leaders, an outcome that ended Sundowns' five game winning run in the top flight.
The breakthrough for Abafana Bes'thende came after the half-hour mark when Sbonelo Cele delivered a set-piece, allowing Keenan Phillips to head in the opener and stun Sundowns.
However, Phillips went from hero to villain a few minutes to the half-time break, conceding a penalty for handling the ball after an Aubrey Modiba pass. Fresh from being named player of the month for February, Brazilian Lucas Ribeiro stepped up to level matters and secure his 13th goal of the season.
“I would not be too sure whether a draw is a true reflection of the game,” he told SuperSport TV as quoted by idiskitimes. “The only thing I know is we showed up, we gave our best shot. We got some nice breaks at the end which could’ve decided the result.
“But unfortunately the decision-making, the technique and all those things [let us down]. To be honest, I think we gave a very good contest to the spectators. I’m sure the supporters enjoyed a game good of football and for me that’s what matters the most.”
The outcome saw Arrows move a place up in the 16 team league table as they landed in 11th slot with 21 points from 17 matches. They have managed five wins, six draws and lost six matches.
Meanwhile, Sundowns kept their top spot with 55 points accumulated from 18 wins, one draw and two defeats. The draw against Arrows was the first for Sundowns this season.
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