Wellington Warriors Fought Back to Secure a 2-2 Draw Against Ashton Juventus at Mbekweni Stadium

Wellington Warriors FC showed great determination on Saturday, 22 November 2025, when they came from behind twice to secure a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Ashton Juventus at Mbekweni Stadium. The match was exciting from start to finish, and the Warriors delivered a strong performance.

The match started on a difficult note for the Wellington Warriors, who conceded an own goal in the first half. Even though they were 1-0 down, the team stayed calm and kept fighting to get back into the match. They held their shape well and stopped Ashton Juventus from adding more goals before halftime.

The second half changed completely after the introduction of substitutes Athandwa and Mlamli Mafanya. Both players made an immediate impact, helping the Warriors keep the ball better and attack with more confidence. Their energy lifted the entire team, and the momentum shifted towards the Warriors.

The pressure finally paid off when Mlamli Mafanya scored the equaliser, bringing the score to 1-1. However, a moment of lost concentration allowed Ashton Juventus to take the lead again, making it 2-1. The Warriors did not give up and kept pushing for another goal.

In the 84th, Athandwe won a penalty after a strong attacking run. Mafanya stepped up and scored his second goal of the match, making it 2-2. His composure in the final minutes helped the Warriors secure a well-deserved point. Defensively, Olona Malgas stood out with a solid performance at the back, helping to protect the draw.

Wellington Warriors Coach, Allistaire De Koker, praised his players for their fighting spirit and strong second-half performance. He said, “It was a very entertaining match for the fans,” and added that the team was “really impressive in the second half, and unlucky to miss out on the three points.” He also expressed gratitude, saying, “ We give God glory for another point and will be coming back even stronger to fight for the wins.”

Wellington Warriors now have two draws and one loss so far this season. The draw at Mbekweni Stadium shows the team’s fighting spirit and determination to improve with every game.