Gallants will no doubt be the more frustrated of the two sides, having missed a first-half penalty and dominated much of the second half without managing to find a winner. 

The home side had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 28th minute when captain Edgar Manaka stepped up to the spot. However, his effort towards the bottom-left corner was comfortably saved by Arrows’ Namibian international goalkeeper, Edward Maova, who had an outstanding game between the sticks.

Edgar Manaka's 28th minute penalty attempt in the PSL game between @_Marumogallants and @goldenarrowsfc1 in Bloemfontein #Football #Soccer #PSL pic.twitter.com/uIyQjW2bwO

— OFM Sport (@OFMSport) April 20, 2025

Gallants eventually broke the deadlock in the 44th minute when Ivorian striker Junior Dion pounced on a rebound and smashed home with his second attempt to give his side a 1-0 lead going into the half-time break in Rocklands.

Just seven minutes into the second half, Gallants defender Khumbulani Ncube was unable to contain Arrows winger Bongani Cele and brought him down in the box. 

The referee didn’t hesitate to award a penalty. Nduduzo Sibiya coolly slotted it home, despite the Gallants goalkeeper diving in the right direction, levelling the scores at 1-1.

Junior Dion. Photo: Morgan Piek

Substitute striker Gabadinho Mhango had a great chance to restore Gallants’ lead in the 73rd minute with a half-volley, but his effort flew well over the crossbar. By the Malawian international’s high standards, it was a chance he’ll feel he should have taken, especially with most of the Arrows’ defence already beaten.

Late in the game, Gallants also had a strong shout for a second penalty, but the referee waved play on, further fuelling the frustration of the home crowd and coaching staff.

In the end, neither side could find the decisive goal, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw, with both teams walking away with a point from the league clash. Despite the disappointment, Gallants’ head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou praised his team’s performance and effort.

“I’m very proud of the game my players gave today. I think it’s a reference – probably one of the best games since I’ve been here,” Ouaddou told OFM Sport.

“Unfortunately, it feels like we dropped two points. We scored early, but then conceded through a penalty.

“In the second half, we kept pushing forward, played some good football, and created chances. Maybe we deserved another penalty.

Edgar Manaka and Sabelo Sithole. Photo: Morgan Piek

“But that’s how it goes. I’m not the type of coach who complains about referees. We have to respect them – they’re part of the game and doing their job. Still, today it feels like two points lost.

“We’ve got three games to go, and we’ll fight until the last minute of the season. That’s what I told the guys.”

Gallants will now shift focus to a tough away fixture next week as they travel to Soccer City to face Soweto giants, Kaizer Chiefs.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh