Cape Town City defeated 10-man Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila 3-0 in a DStv Premiership clash at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday evening, thereby registering a third straight win.
The victory – secured by second-half goals from Abdul Ajagun, Tashreeq Morris and Fagrie Lakay – saw the Citizens rack up a hat-trick of three-pointers and overtake SuperSport United on the log, moving into sixth place on goal difference.
Vhadau Vha Damani, meanwhile, played more than two thirds of the game with 10 men and inevitably suffered a fourth loss from their last five league outings. The Limpopo side remain in 14th spot, two points ahead of the relegation playoff zone currently occupied by Chippa United.
City were the first to threaten, with a passing move in the ninth minute seeing Tashreeq Morris tee up Mduduzi Mdantsane, but the midfielder had his effort deflect off a defender and travel behind for a corner kick.
Just before the half-hour mark Tshakhuma were reduced to 10 men and conceded a penalty, with defender Ayanda Nkili shown a straight red card for handling Aubrey Ngoma’s dangerous ball into the box. Mdantsane took on the responsibility of the spot kick, but saw his effort from 12 yards saved by goalkeeper Washington Arubi.
The Citizens soon began building immense pressure in attack thanks to their numerical advantage, though TTM worked hard to keep their defensive shape and restricted the hosts to only one notable chance before halftime – a turn and shot from Morris which flashed wide of the mark in the 43rd minute.
City opted for an attacking change at the start of the second stanza, withdrawing holding midfielder Thato Mokeke in favour of the more attack-minded Abdul Ajagun. Yet it was Tshakhuma who had the first chance after the restart thanks to a defensive error, but City goalkeeper Peter Leeuwenburgh made an excellent save to deny Thembisani Nevhulamba.
After that scare, City settled into a rhythm and began building pressure against the 10-man defence, finally being rewarded just before the hour mark when Ajagun got on the end of a cross from Bradley Ralani and provided a superb headed finish to make it 1-0.
City continued to provide pressure in attack and a second insurance goal finally arrived in the 89th minute, with Morris rewarded for his hard work through the game by tapping home a cross from substitute Fagrie Lakay.
Lakay then went from assister to scorer in injury time, firing home from a penalty to make it 3-0 and wrap up an emphatic victory for the Citizens.
The teams will return to DStv Premiership action on Wednesday 28 April, with City at home to AmaZulu and Tshakhuma hosting Bloemfontein Celtic.
Cape Town City (0) 3 (Ajagun 59’, Morris 89’, Lakay 90+3’)Tshakhuma TM 0TEAMS
Cape Town City:Leeuwenburgh, Mkhize, Potouridis (Cupido 73’), Mobara, Mashego, Mokeke (Ajagun 46’), Nodada, Mdantsane (Makola 66’), Ralani (Lakay 82’), Ngoma (Zulu 82’), Morris
Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila: Arubi, Thopola, Nkili, Nonyane, Ravhuhali, Lukhubeni, Madhanga, Timm, Ngele (Mabotja 63’), Ndlondlo, Nevhulamba© Backpage TXT.
SOURCED FROM THE PSL WEBSITE.
