TS Galaxy remain without a victory in the DStv Premiership this season, despite coming from behind twice to rescue a draw in a four-goal thriller against Golden Arrows on Saturday afternoon.
Result: TS Galaxy 2-2 Golden Arrows
Date: 11 September 2021
Venue: Mbombela Stadium
The Rockets were boosted by the return of Mxolisi Macuphu, MacBeth Mahlangu, Mlungisi Mbunjana and Tshegofatso Nyama while Arrows handed first starts to Themba Mantshiyane and Simo Mbhele.
Abafana Bes'thende were on the front foot early on and Michael Gumede came close to breaking the deadlock for the visitors midway through the first stanza with a header that came off the far post after a cross by Pule Mmodi.
Lehlohonolo Seema's charges were missing chances but they finally got a reward eight minutes before the half-time break with a penalty going their way after Saziso Magawana was brought down inside the box and Gumede converted the spot-kick to make it 0-1.
However, Arrows' lead was short-lived, as Macuphu levelled matters for Galaxy three minutes later after a good turn and shoot inside the box and the sides went to the break level pegging.
Owen Da Gama made a double tactical change at half-time, as Marks Munyai replaced Luckyboy Mokoena while Mokete Mogaila came on for Nyama.
The sides were struggling to break each other down in the opening exchanges of the second stanza and Seema made a double substitution in the 66th minute, as debutant Thubelihle Magubane came on for Saziso Magawana and Lindokuhle Mtshali replaced Mbhele, both for fresh legs.
The changes had a desired effect for Arrows, as Velemseni Ndwandwe restored their lead in the last 14 minutes with a header at the far post after a cross by Nkosinathi Sibisi.
The game was stretching in the closing phase and Mmodi had a big chance to seal the win for Abafana Bes'thende in the last six minutes after going clear on goal but he dragged his shot wide, one-on-one with goalkeeper Vasilije Kolak.
That miss proved to be costly for Arrows, as Galaxy snatched the equaliser two minutes before time courtesy of a strike by Sinethemba Mthobisi, that came off Sibisi inside the box and the sides shared the spoils.
Galaxy: 32. Kolak, 4. Mahlangu, 50. Makitan, 26. Mokoena, 3. Seedat, 6. Mbunjana, 10. Brooks, 15. Aubaas, 35. Mbatha, 11. Nyama, 29. Macuphu
Subs: 1. Van der Linde, 8. Nduli, 5. Munyai, 12. Ndlovu, 2. Bodibe, 19. Lekay, 9. Anas, 12. Mogaila, 37. Mngomezulu
Arrows: 36. Mlungwana, 29. Sibisi, 15. Zuke, 28. M.Dube, 35. Mantshiyane, 13. Mmodi, 19. Magawana, 24. Dlamini, 12. Ndwandwe, 22. Mbhele, 33. M.Gumede
Subs: 1. Mbaeva, 20. Mathiane, 30. Cele, 27. Nxadi, 26. Magubane, 7. Mtshali, 17. Conco, 11. Sibiya
