Cape Town City were forced to settle for a point after playing out to a 0-0 draw with Golden Arrows in their Absa Premiership encounter at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS. 

The Citizens came into their Absa Premiership clash against Arrows off the back of a 1-0 victory over Maritzburg United in the MTN8 quarter-final last weekend.

Meanwhile, Arrows went into the game after suffering a 2-0 defeat in their respective MTN8 quarter-final clash against Mamelodi Sundowns.

The home side got off to a good start with the likes of Matthew Rusike and Craig Martin proving a threat for the Arrows defence early on.

City had a chance to break the deadlock after 10 minutes when Thamsanqa Mkhize played a ball through to Surprise Ralani, who then whipped the ball into the path of Ayanda Patosi, but the attacker’s contact with the ball wasn’t strong enough to steer the ball into the net.

Kouassi Kouadja should have opened the scoring nine minutes later, but the defender was unable to steer his volley towards the target.

Patosi was given other opportunity to hand City the lead in the 23rd minute when he unleashed a venomous strike at goal, but blazed his effort wide of the target.

Arrows had a chance of their own in the 36th minute when Siboniso Conco produced a shot at goal, but City goalkeeper Peter Leeuwenburg did well to make the save and keep the scoreline level at 0-0.

The visitors had another opportunity to take the lead two minutes before the break, but Conco blazed his effort way off the mark.

The Citizens continued to dominate proceedings in the opening minutes of the second half while Arrows sat back and absorbed the pressure.

Abafana Bes’thende grew into the game after 65 minutes, but were finding it difficult to break down the City defence.

Taariq Fielies came close to scoring the winner three minutes before time, but the City defender blazed his effort over the target, despite being gifted with space in the area.

At the other end, Arrows had a golden opportunity of their own when Danny Venter fired his side-footed strike wide of the crossbar from close range as both sides had to settle for a point each at the Cape Town Stadium.

Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix