Cape Town City struck late in the second half to secure a crucial 2-1 victory over Royal AM on Friday evening.
DStv Premiership
Result: Cape Town City 2-1 Royal AM
Date: 30 December 2022
Venue: DHL Stadium
The Citizens gave new signing, Cameroonian forward Bertrand Mani his debut, alongside Khanyisa Mayo and Darwin Gonzalez upfront. Royal AM, meanwhile, were without striker Lesvin Stoffels, as Kabelo Mahlasela returned to support Ruzaigh Gamildien in the attack.
Thwihli Thwahla had a good start as Mahlasela should have given them the lead on 14 minutes after an error at the back by City led to him going clear on goal but his point-blank shot was kept out by goalkeeper Darren Keet.
Eric Tinkler's charges got out of their slumber after around 20 minutes as Mayo and Jaedin Rhodes tested stopper Hugo Nyame without success.
However, the momentum remained with City as Mani eventually broke the deadlock eight minutes before the interval with a strike in the six-yard box against the run of play.
The visitors still had their energy going forward as Gamildien levelled matters on the stroke of half-time with a header in the box from a cross by Jeffrey Dlamini.
The Citizens controlled the tempo of the game coming from the break and Lyle Lakay had a chance to restore their lead nine minutes in with a strike in the box that was smothered by Nyame after he was teed up by Mayo.
After a subdued display midway through the second stanza, AM eventually made an attacking and tactical change, as Tebogo Potsane replaced Lesego Manyanyi.
With the game on the edge in the last 15 minutes, Tinkler changed the shape of attack with a double change, as Kajally Drammeh and Mduduzi Mdantsane entered the fray.
Mdantsane had an immediate impact for the Citizens, who threatened to get the winner as he setup Gonzalez in a good position in the box but the Venezuelan struck his shot over the crossbar.
Pressure from City eventually paid off in the dying minutes after Thabo Nodada snatched the winner with a close-range shot from a through ball by Mdantsane in the box.
The Citizens picked up their fourth win of the season while AM suffered their fifth defeat in their last five league matches.
Cape Town City: 16. Keet, 2. Mkhize, 15. Cupido, 12. Fielies, 24. Lakay, 3. Mokeke, 5. Ambina, 23. Rhodes, 11. Mayo, 20. Darwin, 21. Mani
Subs: 31. Mpandle, 9. Bender, 7. Kajally, 13. Van Heerden, 6. Mokhuoane, 8. Makola, 41. Daniels, 10. Mdantsane, 26. Nodada.
Royal AM: 16. Nyame, 3. Nascimento, 14. Matlaba, 13. Manganyi, 22. Rikhotso, 12. Mahlasela, 40. Cele, 5. Dlamini, 6. Kobedi, 17. Mogalia, 30. Gamildien
Subs: 32. Ngcobo, 11. Potsane, 23. Ndlovu, 24. Lingwati, 38. Mashiane, 45. George, 7. Pelembe, 2. Msomi, 18. De Jong
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