In what will feel like two points lost for the reigning Betway Premiership champions, log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns and Golden Arrows shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at the Mpumalanga Stadium on Wednesday night.
While Lucas Ribeiro’s 44th minute Panenka penalty captivated fans at the stadium, a visibly frustrated Sundowns ultimately saw their four-match winning streak come to an end this week.
FULL TIME
— Lamontville Golden Arrows FC (@goldenarrowsfc1) March 5, 2025
A share of the spoils tonight as we draw 1-all with @masandawana
Lamontville Golden Arrows 1-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
Goals: Phillips 13' - Ribeiro 44'(p)#SthendeWay #10betGoldenArrows #BetwayPrem pic.twitter.com/lBqmNJBuck
Abafana Bes’thende showed no fear in taking the game to Sundowns early on with Gladwin Shitolo producing the first shot at goal in the second minute.
As the game progressed, Nqobeko Dlamini joined in on the fun with an effort from long range in the 10th minute.
The Brazilians kicked into gear midway through the first half as Jayden Adams and Aubrey Modiba posed questions in the final third.
Arrows thus sat tight in warding off Sundowns’ mounting pressure.
However, it was Arrows who took the lead at the half-hour mark through Keenan Phillips.
With the ball played into the danger zone from a set piece situation, Phillips made sure to guide the ball home with a header from the middle of the 18-year-area.
While Phillips gave his side the lead, the Arrows defender gave away a penalty moments before the break after the referee spotted a handball inside the box.
Stepping up to the spot, Ribeiro showcased his confidence with a cheeky Panenka effort.
Downs thought they had taken the lead shortly after the break through an effort by Peter Shalulile, however, the linesman deemed the Namibian to have been in an offside position.
The reigning league champions continued to push and actively searched for their second goal leading up to the hour mark.
The Tshwane giants piled on the pressure as the clock ran down at the Mpumalanga Stadium but found the going tough, especially in the final third of the pitch.
Abafana Bes’thende set up to be defensively sound for much of the second half, which often left Sundowns frustrated.
Sundowns missed chance after chance toward the end of the tie and were forced to settle for a point in Mpumalanga.
Golden Arrows: (1) 1 (Phillips 31’)
Mamelodi Sundowns: (1) 1 (Ribeiro 44’)
GOLDEN ARROWS: Watenga, Phillips (Malinga 77’), Shitolo, Matshiyane, Cele (Sibeko 66’), Dlamini (Zuke 66’), van Rooi, Ndwandwe, Ncube (Lukhele 46’), Sibiya, Moon (Mutizwa 46’)
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS: Onyango, Modiba, Lebusa, Khoza (Suarez 46’), Morena (Mdunyelwa 86’), Adams (Mokoena 46’), Aubaas (Letlhaku 73’), Allende, Matthews (Sales 63’), Shalulile, Costa