Durban City FC played to a 0-0 Betway Premiership draw against fellow KwaZulu-NAtal outfit Golden Arrows at a cold and wet Chatsworth Stadium on Wednesday evening.
In a tight encounter, Arrows had the better of the first half chances, with City appearing the more likely team to score in the second stanza.
As a result of rain, a heavy pitch made things tough going for both teams, with chances on goal at a premium in the opening stages.
While the Citizens enjoyed good possession early on, it was Arrows who had the first chance when Nhlanhla Zwane let rip from range, forcing Frederick Asare into an excellent diving save in the 17th minute.
There were a couple more opportunities for the visiting side before the interval – including a headed effort against the crossbar from a corner kick, and a 41st minute cross-cum-shot by Ayabulela Maxwele, which was close to finding the top corner of the net.
Just before the break, there was a chance for City when Tylo Sanger fired in a low drive, but Abafana bes’Thende keeper Edward Maova was behind the ball all the way.
The Citizens were on the front foot after the restart and looked set to threaten in the 52nd minute when Jean Lwamba and Gaston Sirino combined in the box, but the latter was unable to get a clean shot away.
More chances followed for the fired-up hosts as Sanger had a backpost header saved by Maova, who was also on hand to make a very good stop to keep out Luphumlo Sifumba’s 62nd minute free kick.
Moments later Maova was at it again as he made a superb reflex save from Siphamandla Ncanana’s header – a well-connected effort from Sirino’s free kick.
The chances though were to dry up after that, despite City’s efforts to keep pressing forward and playing with intensity. The hosts gave everything up until the final whistle, but were just not able to break down a resolute Arrows rearguard.
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