On Saturday, Golden Arrows needed extra time to secure their place in the Nedbank Cup last 16 after coming from behind to beat Pretoria Callies 2-1 at the Princess Magogo Stadium.
The Romans started the game on the front foot and were awarded a penalty on 15 minutes after Lungelo Dube committed a foul in the box. Siyabonga Dubula gave the Romans the lead from the spot after sending Arrows goalkeeper Siyabonga Mbatha the wrong way.
Kwanele Kopo’s charges pressed high up the pitch and did not allow Arrows time and space on the ball to build-up their play.
However, the home side found their passing rhythm in the latter phase of the first half and threatened in front of goal but were indecisive, as they went to the interval a goal down.
Arrows needed a piece of fortune coming from the break as they levelled matters five minutes in after Kamogelo Mogaswa deflected Pule Mmodi’s cross at the near post into his own net.
The hosts gained momentum after that and threatened to go ahead as Knox Mutizwa forced a save out of shot-stopper Edward Maova with a goal-bound header. Ryan Moon, who replaced Siyabonga Khumalo in the dying minutes, almost snatched the winner in stoppage time with a header that was smothered by Maova as the game went to extra-time after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
Abafana Bes’thende took their momentum to the first period of extra-time as they put Callies under pressure and peppered shots at goal that were dealt with by Maova.
Arrows eventually took the lead with seven minutes to go after Mutizwa fired a well-executed free-kick from the edge of the box into the top corner at the near post.
The game stretched from end to end in the dying minutes, as the Romans were desperate to force the game to penalties but Arrows had better openings and managed to hold on to book their spot in the last 16.
NedbankCup Result AET
Golden Arrows 2-1 Pretoria Callies
Siyabonga Dubula [P]Kamogelo Mogaswa [OG]Knox Mutizwa
Abafana Besthende are through to the Last 16 pic.twitter.com/hGxk4Sm0Sa
— Zukiswa Tshaka (@ZukiswaTshaka1) February 11, 2023
