Royal AM moved up to third in the DStv Premiership standings despite playing to a goalless draw against Golden Arrows on Sunday afternoon.
DStv Premiership
Result: Royal AM 0-0 Golden Arrows
Date: 12 December 2021
Venue: Chatsworth Stadium
Royal named a different side that narrowly lost to Mamelodi Sundowns in a five-goal thriller, with their leading goal-scorer Victor Letsoalo and Given Mashikinya among those recalled while Arrows were without captain Nkosinathi Sibisi.
Thwihli Thwahla were enterprising going forward and they had a clear opening in the 15th minute after Ndumiso Mabena went through on goal from Menzi Masuku's chip but his volley in the box was saved by goalkeeper Nkosingiphile Gumede.
Abafana Bes'thende were happy to sit back and look for chances on counter-attacks and they had a strong penalty appeal two minutes later after Pule Mmodi went down from Lesego Manganyi's sliding challenge inside the box but the referee was not convinced.
John Maduka's charges were losing their intensity of pressing high in the latter stages of the first stanza and that gave Arrows space to attack but they were reduced to shots from outside the box that did not trouble shot-stopper Hugo Nyame.
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The game was opening in the early exchanges of the second stanza and Arrows were forced to make a change in the 64th minute after Nkosingiphile Gumede had a concussion injury after a collision from a cross in the box and he was replaced by fellow shot-stopper Sifiso Mlungwana.
Royal were gaining attacking momentum after that and Manganyi had a chance to snatch the winner 12 minutes before time with a glancing header from a corner that was parried away by Mlungwana.
The game was there for the taking for either side in the dying minutes and Mmodi came close to getting the winner for Lehlohonolo Seema's troops with a cracking strike from the edge of the box that produced a great save from Nyame towards the top corner.
There was long stoppage time of ten minutes and late substitute Sedwyn George nearly stole all the three points for the hosts with a volley in the box that was parried away by Mlungwana and the sides shared the spoils, with Thwihli Thwahla going up to third.
Here's how they started:
Royal AM: 16, Nyame, 20. Mkhize, 18. Mashikinya, 28. Mabuza, 13. Letsoalo, 19. Matjila, 13. Manganyi, 8. Phalane, 12. Mahlasela, 10. Mabena, 50. Masuku
Subs: 1. Mabokgwane, 5. Dlamini, 9. Sera, 24. Lingwati, 30. Monamodi, Pelembe, 45. George, Maxwele, 42. Ncobeni
Arrows: 32. N.Gumede, 15. Zuke, 37. Ndlovu, 35. Mantshiyane, 28. M.Dube, 24. Dlamini, 23. L.Dube, 26. Magubane, 13. Mmodi, 11. Sibiya, 33. M.Gumede
Subs: 16. Mbatha, 27. Nxadi, 7. Mtshali, 34. Fikizolo, 12. Ndwandwe, 30. Cele, 25. Nkosi, 2.Gumbi, 18. Mutizwa
