Cape Town City edge out AmaZulu

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Friday Dec 15, 2017. 22:18

Cape Town City defeated AmaZulu 1-0 in an Absa Premiership match at the Cape Town Stadium on Friday night.

As a result, the Citizens move up to second spot on the league standings, while Usuthu remain 12th on the table.

The Citizens and Usuthu shared possession almost equally in the early stages of the encounter with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances.

Usuthu had a chance to break the deadlock in the 28th minute, but Mhengi Cele missed a good opportunity.

Boafela Pule, the AmaZulu keeper tested four minutes later when he collected City right-back Thamsanqa Mkhize's curling cross.

The home side nearly scored just before half-time break when Victor Obinna Nsofor ran into the box, but he placed his effort wide of the target.

City and AmaZulu were locked at 0-0 at the interval.

Usuthu played their usual enterprising football after the restart and they nearly broke the deadlock.

A good move involving Michael Morton and Ovidy Karuru nearly resulted in a goal as the former fired narrowly wide of the target.

AmaZulu head coach Cavin Johnson introduced Rhulani Manzini in the 67th minute as the visitors searched for a late winning goal.

However, it was City who grabbed a late goal in the 84th minute through Roland Putsche after AmaZulu had failed to clear their lines.

City then contained AmaZulu in the latter stages of the game, and ultimately, they ran out 1-0 winners.

CT City (0) 1 (Putsche 84')
AmaZulu 0

Cape Town City:Stephens, Mkhize, Johannes, Seedat, Fielies, Nodada, Putsche, Martin (Akosah-Bempah 84'), Ngoma (Lakay 76'), Masina, Obinna (Modise 65`).

AmaZulu: Pule, Gumede Ph, Gumede M, Nyongo, Sikhakhane, Ncube, Morton, Dlamini S (Ntsundwana 89'), Mnguni (Mnguni 89'), Karuru, Cele (Manzini 67`).