Champions Mamelodi Sundowns dropped points for the third straight DStv Premiership clash after drawing 1-1 with Golden Arrows on Wednesday night.
DStv Premiership
Result: Golden Arrows 1-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 12 April 2023
Venue: Princess Magogo Stadium
Sundowns made wholesale changes to the side that drew with Swallows, as Abdelmounaim Boutouil and Bongani Zungu got their first starts in the league, while Abubaker Nasir, Marcelo Allende and Cassius Mailula were recalled.
The Brazilians were patient with their build-ups early on but Boutouil had nervy moments up against Knox Mutizwa a couple of times, with one big chance fluffed by the Zimbabwean striker.
Rulani Mokwena's charges increased their intensity as Haashim Domingo came very close to giving them the lead on 19 minutes from a solo run in the box with a low drive that was brilliantly parried away by shot-stopper Sifiso Mlungwana.
As the game opened up, Ryan Moon eventually broke the deadlock for Arrows on 23 minutes with a first-time left-footed strike in the box after a cross by Divine Lunga against his parent club.
The Brazilians had an injury casualty just before that, as Zungu could not continue after he taking a knock to the face and he was replaced by Sipho Mbule.
The visitors threatened going forward with the halftime break approaching but they were not clinical with a number of good chances, including Nasir who blasted wide from ten yards.
Sundowns continued to create clear chances from the break with combination play, as Mlungwana denied Nasir and Mailula in quick succession from one-on-one situations.
Mokwena looked for more solutions from the bench on the hour-mark with a tactical change as Lebohang Maboe replaced Grant Kekana.
The Brazilians' pressure finally paid off with 17 minutes remaining after Mbule's header from a corner was spilled by Mlungwana.
Going for the winner, Sundowns introduced 16-year old Siyabonga Mabena two minutes later in place of Domingo while Arrows were seemingly settling for a point with a defensive change as Gladwin Shitolo replaced Moon.
The Tshwane giants had the momentum in the dying minutes up against a low block from Abafana Bes'thende and Mabena almost got the winner with a strike that came off the post.
Despite numerous attacks, Sundowns could not get the decisive goal, as Arrows, who were a danger on transitions held on to the share of the spoils.
A point moved Arrows up to sixth on the table.
Here's how they lined up:
Golden Arrows: 36. Mlungwana, 37. Ndlovu, 35. Mantshiyane, 3. Lunga, 30. Cele, 27. Nxadi, 23. Dube, 24. Dlamini, 12. Ndwandwe, 9. Moon, 18. Mutizwa.
Subs: 28. Mbatha, 5. Shitolo, 31. Mhlongo, 25. Nkosi, 7. Magawana, 4. Khumalo, 34. Fikizolo, 11. Sibiya, 26. Magubane
Mamelodi Sundowns: 32. Williams, 20. Kekana, 37. Ngobeni, 13. Boutouil, 3. De Reuck, 8. Zungu, 11. Allende, 21. Mkhulise, 23. Domingo, 33. Mailula, 28. Nasir
Subs: 14. D.Onyango, 6. B.Onyango, 41. Mashego, 24. Mbule, 39. Maboe, 31. Nkosi, 44. Mabena, 10. Sirino, 38. Shalulile
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