Result: Golden Arrows 1-1 Highlands Park
Date: 29 February 2020
Venue: Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium
Golden Arrows and Highlands Park settled for a share of the spoils after playing to a 1-1 draw at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Both sides came into the encounter on a high after Highlands overcame Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup while Arrows defeated AmaZulu in their last outing.
It was Steve Komphela's troops who got the early breakthrough as Divine Lunga's cross from the flank found Lerato Lamola, who nodded past Marlon Huegh on six minutes.
The Lions of the North went in search of an equaliser but Arrows shot-stopper Sifiso Mlungwana popped up with a couple vital stops to thwart the visitors.
While there were a couple stoppages due to injury in the first half, the tempo was played a lively pace although clear-cut chances were hard to come by in the latter stages.
In an attempt to claw their way back into the contest, Highlands head coach Owen da Gama introduced Rodney Ramagalela for Banda just before the hour mark.
The decision paid off for the visitors as Ramagalela restored parity in the 64th minute with only his second league goal of the season.
Komphela responded with a change for the final 15 minutes as Michael Gumede came on for Lamola as the hosts pushed for a winning goal.
Arrows had a chance to snatch three points in the final four minutes after Knox Mutizwa did well to pick out Siyabonga Dube in the box, but the defender's effort was saved by Heugh.
In the end, 1-1 was how the encounter finished at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium, with both sides missing the chance to cement their top-eight spots.
Arrows: 36. Mlungwana, 14. S.Dube, 29. Sibisi, 20. Mathiane, 13. Lunga, 26. Phiri, 5. Shitolo, 15. Makhubela, 35. Mtshali, 41. Lamola, 18. Mutizwa.
Subs: 30. Sibanda, 2. Nkombelo, 31. Zuke, 11. Sibiya, 16. Parusnath, 17. Conco, 33. M.Gumede.
Highlands: 1. Heugh, 10. Mokoena, 24. Rae, 5. Fransman, 48. Banda, 2. Mzava, 34. Motsepe, 21. Mbhele, 38. Shalulile, 43. Mbatha, 12. Mogaila
Subs: 16. Kapini, 19. Munyai, 20. Ramoraka, 14. Mvala, 27. Jooste, 4. Makhaula, 13. Ramagalela.
