In what was a fiercely contested affair in the Mother City this week, Cape Town City and Golden Arrows cancelled each other out in a tense 1-1 draw at the Athlone Stadium in the Betway Premiership on Wednesday night.
While Arrows drew first blood through Bongani Cele in the 15th minute, a stunning 48th minute free-kick by Tshegofatso Nyama saved City’s blushes on home soil.
FULL TIME
— Lamontville Golden Arrows FC (@goldenarrowsfc1) February 5, 2025
Points shared on the road with Cape Town City as we end in a 1-all draw at Athlone Stadium
Goals in the 15th minute by B.Cele and Nyama in the 48th@CapeTownCityFC 1-1 Lamontville Golden Arrows#SthendeWay #10betGoldenArrows #BetwayPrem #GreenAndGold pic.twitter.com/hhVrlr09hk
The game commenced at a slow pace at the Athlone Stadium, with neither side being too adventurous inside the first 10 minutes.
However, it was Arrows who broke the deadlock on the stroke of the 15th minute after Cele made no mistake from close range following an incisive move inside the City 18-yard-area.
City dominated the ball possession count after conceding the first goal and often penned Arrows back in their own half as a result.
However, the Citizens lacked cutting edge in the final third and battled to create notable scoring opportunities midway through the first half.
The likes of Amadou Soukouna and Prins Tjiueza looked lively in their pursuit of an equalising goal, however, Abafana Bes’thende remained robust in defensive settings and safely guarded their 1-0 lead all the way to the halftime whistle.
Muhsin Ertugral’s halftime team talk appeared to have had the desired effects after City levelled matters moments after the restart.
The home side were awarded a free-kick just outside the area and Nyama’s well struck left-footed curler left Ismail Watenga well beaten on his line.
With the wind in their sails, City were all over Arrows after scoring the equalising goal and saw up to 74 per cent of the ball possession after the hour-mark.
Arrows, on the other hand, battled to progress the ball up field while playing under the cosh.
Chances were few for Arrows as the clock ran down in Athlone and they had recorded just one shot on target at the 85th minute mark.
City however, looked shaky during transition moments as Abafana Bes’thende took the direct route going forward.
Nevertheless, neither side were able to make a breakthrough at the end of the game as the score remained at 1-1 at the final whistle.
Cape Town City: (0) 1 (Nyama 48’)
Golden Arrows: (1) 1 (Cele 15’)
CAPE TOWN CITY: Keet, Mkhize, Gordinho (Ziba 95’), Idumba, Nyama, Amato (Mokotjo 81’), Nodada, Domingo, Darwin (Sereetsi 81’), Soukouna, Tjiueza
GOLDEN ARROWS: Watenga, Shitolo, Theron, Phillips, Dube (Mantshiyane 63’), van Rooi (Lukhele 16’), Sibeko (Zwane 63’), Ndwandwe, Sibiya, Cele (Moon 78’)