CITY, ARROWS PLAY GOALLESS
Cape Town City and Golden Arrows shared the spoils by playing to a goalless draw in their Absa Premiership clash at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday evening.
The result leaves both the Citizens and Abafana Bes’thende with a haul of four points from their first three league matches of the 2018/19 season.
City created the first clear chance of the match, as a 19th-minute corner kick saw Matthew Rusike flick the ball on from the middle of the box to find an unmarked Kouassi Kouadja at the far post, but the defender stabbed the ball over the top.
The Cape side generally enjoyed the ascendancy in possession and territory through the first half, though Arrows nearly claimed the lead against the run of the play in the 37th minute, as a snap shot from just outside the box by Siboniso Conco forced a finger-tip save from goalkeeper Peter Leeuwenbergh.
The Durban team made a tactical change at the start of the second half, withdrawing striker Lerato Lamola and introducing Danny Phiri in midfield to try and get more of a foothold in the engine room.
Abafana Bes’thende competed on a more even footing in the second half, but bringing their attacking players such as Nduduzo Sibiya and Knox Mutizwa into the game remained a struggle, as the Citizens’ defence stood firm.
City themselves weren’t able to offer much of a threat going forward, with Arrows ‘keeper Nkosingiphile Gumede remaining essentially untested throughout the whole game.
Even City’s introduction of Riyaad Norodien, Gift Links and Nana Akosah-Bempah – all attacking players – did little to put the visitors’ defence under pressure, as they were able to hold out for the stalemate and ensure the points were shared.
City will be in action next weekend when they face Mamelodi Sundowns in the first leg of the MTN8 semifinals, while Arrows will have to wait until August 28 for their league clash at home to Polokwane City.
Cape Town City 0
Golden Arrows 0
TEAMS:
Cape Town City: Leeuwenbergh, Mkhize, Fielies, Kouadja, Seedat, Putsche, Patosi (Akosah-Bempah 80’), Nodada, Ralani (Norodien 62’), Martin, Rusike (Links 72’)
Golden Arrows: Gumede, Sibisi, Mzava, Mngwengwe, Lunga, Sibiya (Sibeko 81’), Molefe, Venter, Conco (Jooste 68’), Mutizwa, Lamola (Phiri 46’)
