City chase three points against Stars

by Staff Reporter

Tuesday Jan 15, 2019. 11:51

Cape Town City will be in search of three Absa Premiership points when they host Free State Stars at Cape Town Stadium on 16 January 2019, kick-off at 19h30.

City extended their unbeaten run to four league matches when they were held 2-2 at home by Baroka FC on January 12. The Cape side needed a late goal from Roland Putsche to salvage a share of the spoils.

The Citizens have claimed 15 points from nine home matches this season, with their last defeat as hosts coming back in October 2018 when they were beaten by Bidvest Wits.

Stars broke a six-game winless run in the league with a 2-1 triumph away to Maritzburg United on January 9. It was the Free State side’s first victory on the road this season, and secured via goals from Relebogile Mokhuoane and Sinethemba Jantjie.

Despite the victory at the Harry Gwala Stadium, Ea Lla Koto have still taken just five points from eight away games in 2018/19.

In head-to-head stats, Stars and City have met in five league matches since 2016/17. The record is dead-even between the teams: two wins apiece, one draw, four goals scored, four conceded. The Citizens have won both of their two home matches against Ea Lla Koto in the rivalry.

When the teams met earlier this season, they played to a 2-2 draw at Goble Park in late August 2018: Bengali Keita and Goodman Dlamini netted for Stars, while City’s strikes came from Matthew Rusike and an own goal from Olivier Kwizera.

City’s line-up from their 2-2 draw with Baroka on January 12: Leeuwenbergh, Mkhize, Fielies, Mokeke, Seedat, Putsche, Nodada, Martin (Rusike 74’), Patosi (Mngonyama 66’), Links (Akosah-Bempah 86’), Mthembu.

Stars’ line-up from their 2-1 win over Maritzburg on January 9: Sangare, Mobbie, Mahamutsa, Mbhele, Phungwayo, Makhaula (Jantjie 63’), Mokhuoane, Masehe (Maruping 77’), Jappie, Tchilimbou (Khabane 90+3’), Dlamini.