An end-to-end KwaZulu-Natal Betway Premiership derby between Milford FC and Durban City ended in a 1-1 draw at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
City came from a goal down to grab a share of the spoils after Luphumlo Sifumba’s equaliser, with goalkeeper Frederick Asare also playing an integral part.
The Citizens started the game brightly and had an early chance when Gaston Sirino played in Junior Papier down the right, but the latter was unable to keep his shot on target in the third minute.
The visitors continued to play with purpose, enjoying the lions’ share of possession and further openings followed as Samkelo Maseko had a long-range shot deflected wide before the same player tested Siphamandla Hleza from a short-corner routine, the goalie equal to the task however.
Durban City then came even closer when Letsie Koapeng let rip from outside the box and saw his shot missing the top corner by a few inches.
The home side began to grow stronger around the midway stage of the opening stanza, with Citizens goalkeeper Asare called into action in the 29th minute after a penalty was conceded, doing superbly to keep out the spot kick from Siphosethu Ndlabi.
However, Milford kept on the pressure and made the breakthrough when Mvelo Zikakayo found the net in the 38th minute, having been set up by Menzi Chili following a set piece.
Durban City coach Khalil Ben Youssef made two changes at the interval, introducing Jean Lwamba and Luphumlo Sifumba to the action.
And within five minutes of second half action, Sifumba made the desired impact when he struck with a superb free kick to level up the score.
Milford then came back fighting as chances followed for Chili, who shot high and wide, before Tonny Mbunga missed the target and then Sifiso Mdluli’s top-corner-bound attempt was brilliantly saved by Asare.
The derby developed into a real thriller in the final quarter as the two teams traded attacks in quick succession.
For City, Lubumba went wide with a header from a free kick and Kyle Jurgens got on the end of a Fezile Gcaba cross – but had his effort saved by Hleza.
At the other end, Cebolenkosi Mthethwa fired wide before Asare came up with yet another outstanding save to claw Jabulile Gxakoshe’s close-range shot away from goal after the attacker had gone in one-on-one.
The action continued to come thick-and-fast, Durban City getting chances in the 87th and 89th minutes through Tashreeq Morris, the first going wide and the second getting blocked.
Asare then once more Asare came to the Citizens’ rescue with a breathtaking 90th minute save to ensure the point.
Leave a Reply