Arrows arrived for this encounter very confident as they were leading Group A log table with 4 points while Arsenal were third with 3 points. A game that slowly burst into life in the 20th minute after Nelson dribbled through the Arrows defence to put Arsenal in the lead, as they took a 1-0 lead into half-time.
In the 80th minute, Golden Arrows captain Mkhululi Ncube scored the equaliser for Abafana Bes’thende, yet their celebrations was short-lived as Mourgos secured a second goal for Arsenal in the 85th minute. The game ended 2-1 in favour of Arsenal that saw the Gunners advance to the semi-finals.
The fight to join Arsenal in the semis continued in the second encounter of Group A where KZN Academy took on Sporting Lisbon. The boys from Portugal secured an early goal in the 15th minute of the first half courtesy of Franco.
In the 43rd minute KZN Academy bounced back with a beautiful goal from Daylan Stoffell, as the first half ended 1-1.
During the second half Lisbon continued to apply pressure on the KZN defence, which eventually paid off as they went ahead three minutes in. Sboniso Vilakazi’s boys responded quickly as Ujuan McDonald made it 2-2.
Yet Sporting snatched a late winner, the victory seeing them join Arsenal in the semi-finals to be played out on Thursday.
Group B’s group stage fixtures today (Tuesday, 2 August):
14h15 TP Mazembe vs Rangers FC
16h30 National U-19 vs Fluminense
Leading tournament goal-scorers:
Name Club Goals
K. Mayo SA U-19 5
S. Mavididi Arsenal 2
P. Pedro Fluminense 2
C. de Oliveira Fliminense 2
