Mabasa rescues a point for Swallows

Tshegofatso Mabasa rescued a point for Moroka Swallows as they held Golden Arrows to a 1-1 draw in their opening DStv Premiership match of the 2023-24 season, played at the Mpumalanga Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Abafana Bes’thende looked on course for an opening-round triumph thanks to a goal early in the second half from substitute Siyanda Mthanti, but Mabasa – on loan for Orlando Pirates for the season – ensured that the Birds secured a share of the spoils with a fine equaliser 13 minutes from the end of regulation time.

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The teams traded early half-chances before the first true threat of a goal came from Swallows’ Tshediso Patjie in the 17th minute, as the winger curled a shot from the left of the penalty area just wide of the far post.

Arrows then found their attacking rhythm and had three great chances around the half-hour mark, with the first seeing Knox Mutizwa denied one-on-one by Swallows goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi in the 26th minute.

In the 30th minute Tebogo Motloung stabbed a left-footed shot wide from just inside the penalty area, and three minutes later Sazi Gumbi unleashed a long-range missile which left Akpeyi standing but rattled the crossbar.

Abafana Bes’thende also suffered an unfortunate injury, with the lively Motloung limping off five minutes before the break to be replaced by Siyanda Mthanti.

The Birds nearly claimed the lead shortly before the interval when Kagiso Malinga beat Arrows goalkeeper Isima Watenga to a corner kick, but he couldn’t quite direct his header on target, leaving the score 0-0 at halftime.

Arrows started the second half full of attacking intent and they were rewarded in the 51st minute when Mutizwa laid on a great pass for the run of Mthanti, who placed a low shot beyond the reach of Akpeyi’s right hand for 1-0.

The goal scorer had a great opportunity to double his tally in the 76th minute when another Arrows attack had pulled Swallows’ defence apart, but the visitors were bailed out by a sharp save from Akpeyi.

And the goalkeeper’s action was not in vain, as the Birds found an equaliser just a minute later when another substitute, Tshegofatso Mabasa, got on the end of a fine cross from Patjie and headed into the back of the net for 1-1.

Mabasa nearly put Swallows into the lead with just under 10 minutes to play, but saw his low drive from a tight angle turned away by Watenga.

That proved the last notable attacking highlight, with both Abafana Bes’thende and the Birds ultimately settling for a point apiece.

The teams will return to DStv Premiership action this coming midweek, with Arrows away to KwaZulu-Natal rivals Richards Bay on Tuesday 8 August, while Swallows will host Cape Town City the following day.

Golden Arrows (0) 1 (Mthanti 51’)

Moroka Swallows (0) 1 (Mabasa 77’)

Arrows: Watenga, Mantshiyane, Shitolo, Cross, Ndlovu, Ndwandwe, Gumbi, Van Rooi (Ncube 85’), Motloung (Mthanti 40’), Mutizwa, Moon (Nguse 79’)

Swallows: Akpeyi, Phillips, Allan, Sait, Sam, Shwabule, Jali (Van Ryn 72’), Phalane (Mthethwa 57’), Patjie, Zuma (Tshanini 81’), Malinga (Mabasa 57’)