Cape Town City suffer defeat in Bethlehem

Cape Town City suffer defeat in Bethlehem
Harris Tchilimbou of Free State Stars

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Saturday Jan 13, 2018. 22:40

Cape Town City failed to claim an away win after losing 1-0 to Free State Stars on Saturday night at Goble Park Stadium in the Absa Premiership.

The loss for the Capetonians condemns them to the third spot with 27 points from 16 league games in the 2017/18 campaign.

On the other hand, the Bethlehem-based outfit secured the maximum spoils courtesy of a strike from Harris Tchilimbou.

With both outfits searching for the full three points, they had a cagey start and the hosts tested City’s shaky defence.

The end of the first 10 minutes saw Eymael’s side controlling the proceedings in terms of the pace and ball possession.

However, nine minutes later, Sinethemba Jantjie launched an attack and fired a shot towards Sage Stephens’ goal, but it hit a defender and the visitors managed to clear the danger.

In the 26th minute, Jantjie again failed to capitalise on City’s shaky defending and missed a wonderful opportunity as he saw his shot going straight to Stephens, who conceded a corner.

Ea Lla Koto continued to pile pressure on the Mother City side and their efforts were rewarded when Tchilimbou netted in the 45th minute.

With four minutes into the return half, Benni McCarthy’s side came close to levelling the scores when Roland Putsche saw his header going across the face of the goal to miss the target.

Siphelele Mthembu would later be denied by Stephens after the forward broke free, but was unable to beat the keeper as he rushed his effort in the 81st minute.

In the end, the hosts managed to hold on to their lead and walked away with a 1-0 win to avenge their loss by the same score in the Mother City.

In the wake of the crucial win, Luc Eymael’s men now occupy the second spot with 28 points from 16 matches.

Free State Stars (1) 1 (Tchilimbou 45’)
Cape Town City 0

Free State Stars: Sangare, Masehe, Mobbie, Keita, Phungwayo, Teyise, Makhaula (Mahamutsa 83’), Tchilimbou (Vilakazi 77’), Maphakisa (Hlubi 67’), Jantjie, Mthembu

Cape Town City: Stephens, Kobola (Mngonyama 46’), Johannes, Fielies (Moseamedi 69’), Edmilson, Putsche, Nodada, Lakay, Martin (Ralani 46’), Masina, Obinna




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