In what might be described as circus soccer, with the goalkeepers in the role of trapeze artists taking a couple of tumbles, Golden Arrows and Free State Stars drew 2-2 in a Premier League game that contained some impressive skills and many laughable errors.
It was not a result that helped either side in the chase to stay on the heels of Ajax Cape Town. Stars are now five points behind the log leaders and Arrows a distant eight — and on their error-infested form at the sparsely-filled Umlazi venue hardly look serious contenders.
A looping throw-in had Stars’ Zambian international goalkeeper, Kennedy Mweene, clutching fresh air as new Bafana Bafana cap Kagisho Dikgacoi opened the score for Arrows in only the sixth minute with a well-placed header.
Tshepo Mashego duplicated the headed goal for Stars in the 11th minute and Stembiso Ngcobo took advantage of the chaos in the Arrows’ defence to give the Free State side a 2-1 lead after only 18 minutes.
Arrows, however, enjoyed a clear territorial advantage and it came as no surprise when recent Mozambican signing Mauricio equalised in the 62nd minute with a well angled goal, but with poor defending again in evidence.
Missed chances by both sides characterised the final 20 minutes on a sultry, steamy afternoon, with both sets of willing, but wilting squads seemingly grateful to hear the final whistle — and end the misery for the spectators. – Sapa