City steal three points in Tshwane

Cape Town City claimed a smash-and-grab 1-0 away win over SuperSport United in an Absa Premiership clash at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Saturday night.

The result sees the Citizens climb to sixth place on the log on 23 points, level with Matsatsantsa (who drop to seventh).

Kick-off was delayed for 20 minutes due to lightning in the area. City fielded both of their new signings from the start: Kermit Erasmus made his debut, while Thato Mokeke began his second spell at the Cape club.

The visitors needed goalkeeper Sage Stephens to make an excellent save in the 17th minute, palming away a goal-bound effort from Aubrey Modiba as SuperSport United nearly capitalised on their stronger start to the match.

City had to wait until the 36th minute for their first sight of goal, with Erasmus doing well to put Gift Links into space on the edge of the penalty area, but the subsequent shot failed to test Ronwen Williams in the United goal.

The teams were locked at 0-0 at halftime, and the first goal should have arrived five minutes into the second half when a deflected ball fell kindly for Evans Rusike, but Stephens made a brave save at point-blank range to keep the scoreline blank.

On 58 minutes it was Williams’s turn to get in on the action, coming off his line to deny Links in the penalty area as City finally got their passing game together.

Matsatsantsa and the Citizens exchanged scoring chances through the remainder of the game, which looked set to end level until the visitors snatched a goal in the penultimate minute of regulation time.

A cross from City’s right deflected up into the air and fell kindly for the unmarked Links, who showed great technique to fire a first-time, left-footed shot which beat Williams at his near post and handed the Cape side three precious away points.

The teams will return to Absa Premiership action next week Saturday (12 January): SuperSport will be away to Black Leopards, while City will host Baroka FC.

SuperSport United 0

Cape Town City (0) 1 (Links 89’)

SuperSport:Williams, Kekana, Gould, Khumalo, Bhasera, Webber, Ntshangase, Mokoena (Malinga 70’), Modiba, Rusike (Mahlatsi 75’), Keene

City: Stephens, Mngonyama, Fielies, Edmilson (Mkhize 65’), Seedat, Links, Putsche, Mokeke, Ralani (Martin 54’), Mthembu (Patosi 67’), Erasmus