GOLDEN ARROWS VS AJAX CAPE TOWN | ABSA

Competition: PSL
Date: SATURDAY, 03 August 2013
Venue: King Zwelithini Stadium
Kick-off: 15:00

Lamontville Golden Arrows have been held to a 1-1 draw by Ajax Cape Town in their opening match of the Absa Premiership season played at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday.
Malawian international Peter Wadwaba had given Abafana Bes’thende the lead just after halftime, but Lebogang Manyama equalised for Ajax with 20 minutes to go.

Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi gave a number of players their debut, including Wadwaba, Nkanyiso Mngwengwe, Siphelele Hleleni, Nzuzo Luthuli and Dumisani Zwane.

The opening half was played at a frantic pace, with chances at either end, but the best falling to Arrows. After Wadwaba had headed wide, Hleleni played a neat one-two with Mdunge on the edge of the box, before scooping over.

Home goalkeeper Siya Mngoma was tested too and had an excellent game, making a number of fine saves, especially in the second period.

Arrows were ahead on 48 minutes when Wadwaba scored after Ajax goalkeeper Brandon Petersen could only parry a shot into his path.

Hlelani then had an excellent chance to make it 2-0, but shot over, before Mdunge showed his class with a brilliant turn in the box, but his shot went narrowly over the bar.
Ajax equalised against the run of play as Travis Graham supplied a through-ball for Manyama, who side-footed past an onrushing Mngoma.

Neither side could find a winner, but it was an excellent effort from the much-changed Arrows side, who can look forward to their next match against BidVest Wits on August 28.

MATCH STATS
Lamontville Golden Arrows (0) 1 (Wadwaba 48’)
Ajax Cape Town (0) 1 (Manyama 70’)

Arrows: Mngoma, Tom, Zwane, Mngwengwe (Sithole 73’), Zwane, Wadwaba, Nguzana (Ntuli 45’), Mdunge, Nene, Hleleni (Qalanto 81’), Luthuli

Ajax: Petersen, Lolo, Hlatshwayo, Isaacs, Jenniker, Shabalala (Davids 86’), Van de Laak (paulse 57’), Graham, Manyama, Losper, Dolly (Mokeke 60’)