Arrows drop points in Celtic stalemate

A 72ND minute headed goal by Knox Mutizwa rescued a point for Golden Arrows as the third-placed Premiership side rescued a 1-1 draw with Bloemfontein Celtic at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont, Durban, yesterday.

Mzwanele Mahashe of Celtic headed home beyond the reach of Arrows goalkeeper Sifiso Mlungwana in the 34th minute after meeting a corner which was directed towards the back post.

Just seven minutes later, Mutizwa was centimetres away from equalising for Abafana Bes’thende but saw his delicate header strike the crossbar following a well-played pass from teammate Velemseni Ndwandwe.

Arrows dominated possession throughout but to Celtic’s credit, they were patient in terms of their defensive resolve, preventing the home side from equalising.

Coach Mandla Ncikazi’s Celtic side employed an attacking style of play from the start of the second half as they applied some early pressure in the final third.

Both sides had their fair share of scoring opportunities in the game and the scoreline could have ended very differently had they been more clinical with the opportunities created.

The post, though, was not there to prevent Mutizwa from scoring with 18 minutes to go and after drawing level, Arrows appeared to be fired up, pushing on in search of that decisive goal that would secure them all three points. But the Celtic defence did their part to earn a point.

Ntsako Mabhubela killed off Arrows’ chances of winning the game in the 87th minute as he earned a red card for a clumsy challenge.

Arrows next face an away clash next Wednesday against SuperSport United. Celtic next host Moroka Swallows on Tuesday, April 20.