Cape Town City beat Free State Stars 1-0 in an Absa Premiership encounter at the Cape Town Stadium in the Mother City on Friday night.
The victory takes the Citizens to position two on the league table – two points behind log leaders Bidvest Wits, while Ea Lla Koto remain 14th on the standings.
The match got off to a lively start with both goalkeepers being called into action several times in the opening exchanges of the league encounter.
City goalkeeper Shu-Aib Walters was well-positioned to gather Stars forward Thokozani Sekotlong’s dangerous cross just three minutes into the game.
At the other end, the Citizens striker Letsie Koapeng forced Ea Lla Koto shot-stopper Thela Ngobeni into a decent save with a well-taken shot.
Mamelodi Sundowns loanee Ngobeni then produced a superb save keeping out Koapeng’s attempt following City captain Lebogang Manyama’s great run.
Chances were coming thick and fast as Stars midfielder Thabo Maphakisa unleashed a shot which was well-saved by Walters in the 20th minute.
Ea Lla Koto had a chance to break the deadlock from a free-kick in a promising area ten minutes later, but Sekotlong’s attempt was blocked by the wall.
Stars were pushing for the opening goal, but the Citizens contained them until the match referee blew the half-time whistle and it was 0-0 at the interval.
City made the first change of the game seven minutes after the restart when Koapeng was replaced Bhongolethu Jayia as they looked to apply pressure on Stars.
The home side did take the lead through Judas Moseamedi, who headed home to make it 1-0 to City in the 62nd minute with Vincent Kobola grabbing an assist.
It was nearly 2-0 to City two minutes later, but Ngobeni was alert and he brilliantly saved Aubrey Ngoma’s effort as the home side continued to dominate.
The visitors had to find a way to grab a late equalising goal with time running out and Tebogo Potsane was introduced for Paulus Masehe with 10 minutes left.
However, City were able to contain Stars in the remaining minutes of the match and they recorded a hard-fought 1-0 victory over their visitors.
