Cape Town City struck late in second half to secure a 1-0 win over TS Galaxy in DStv Premiership action on Friday night.
DStv Premiership
Result: Cape Town City 1-0 TS Galaxy
Date: 20 January 2023
Venue: DHL Stadium
The Citizens made two changes to the side that drew with Chippa United, as Lyle Lakay and Darwin Gonzalez, who strengthened the attack alongside Juan Zapata and Bertrand Mani, were recalled.
Galaxy, meanwhile, were unchanged from their draw against Swallows, as Djakaridja Traore led the attack as a lone striker, with Bernard Parker playing deep in attacking midfield.
City looked to overwhelm the Rockets with their attacks in the opening exchanges, as Mani came close to give them the an early lead with a free header in the box that flashed inches wide of the far post.
However, Sead Ramovic's charges managed to contain their hosts and had breathing space midway through the first stanza to launch attacks but they were too far from the Citizens' goals and could not threatened goalkeeper Darren Keet.
Eric Tinkler's men, however, dropped the tempo they set in the early stages, as they laboured towards the end of the first stanza, with the front three of Gonzalez, Mani and Zapata not getting into the game.
The sides were seemingly revived after the break and Xola Mlambo almost broke the deadlock for the visitors ten minutes in with a glancing header at the near post that sailed slightly over the crossbar after a cross by Parker.
City were also desperate to get on the scoresheet as Lakay was unfortunate not to find the back of the net on 65 minutes with a dipping strike from a deadball outside the box that came off the crossbar.
Tinkler was looking to find the right balance going forward moments later, as he withdrew Zapata and brought Jaedin Rhodes.
With Galaxy hard to crack, City went for broke in the closing stages with the introduction of Jordan Bender and Kajally Drammeh and that did the trick, as Taariq Fielies eventually fired home the winner in the last two minutes with a shot from a rebound unmarked at the back post.
City jumped above Orlando Pirates in sixth place while the Rockets remained in 11th spot.
Here's how they lined up:
Cape Town City: 16. Keet, 2. Mkhize, 25. Gordinho, 12. Fielies, 24. Lakay, 3. Mokeke, 5. Ambina, 26. Nodada, 17. Zapata, 20. Darwin, 21. Mani
Subs: 31. Mpandle, 48. Rhodes, 13. Van Heerden, 10. Mdantsane, 7. Kajally, 41. Daniels, 9. Bender, 27. Goedeman.
TS Galaxy: 32. Kolak, 3. Sanoka, 11. Nyama, 5. Msimango, 23. Munyai, 8. Mbunjana, 7. Mongae, 20. Mlambo, 49. Sebelebele, 9. Traore, 17. Parker
Subs: 1. Van der Linde, 30. Mere, 28. Phohlongo, 10. Hlongwane, 4. Mahlangu, 45. Seema, 14. Radebe, 18. Daya, 21. Mandi
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