Cape Town Spurs suffered their seventh successive loss in the 2023/24 DStv Premiership campaign this week, following their 3-1 defeat to Cape Town City in the keenly anticipated iKapa Derby at the DHL Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
An early goal by Ashley Cupido set the tone for the rest of the encounter, however, the Urban Warriors failed to make the most of their lead thereafter. A solid effort by Darwin Gonzalez from the spot levelled matters just before the break, while a brace by Khanyisa Mayo saw City secure maximum points in the derby.
While the Citizens held most of the ball during the opening exchanges of the game, it was Spurs who took the lead with their very first attacking move of the game. In dispossessing City in the middle of the park, the Urban Warriors initiated a classic counter-attacking move as Ashley Cupido made no mistake with a calm finish inside the 18-yard-area.
Eric Tinkler’s side continued to boss the possession count after conceding and actively searched for an equalizer. In soaking up the pressure, the Urban Warriors’ counter-attacking approach often troubled the City defence. As the clock hit the 25-minute mark, City played most of their football inside Spurs’ half but struggled to make the most of their goal scoring chances when going forward.
City were then awarded a penalty in the 40th minute, after the referee spotted a handball infringement by Rushwin Dortley inside the area. In stepping up to the spot, Darwin Gonzalez rifled the ball home through the fingertips of goalkeeper Sam Ramsbottom.
With the referee introducing the second-half, the Urban Warriors looked the more enterprising side compared to their showing in the first 45, while City created a couple of goal scoring chances in the process. After an hour of football played at the DHL Stadium, Spurs looked lively going forward and provided City with a couple of nervy moments when playing on the backfoot.
The Citizens kicked into gear as the 70th minute approached and subsequently took the lead courtesy of a clever effort by Khanyiso Mayo. As Gonzalez drove the ball down the left-hand flank, the South American attacker squared the ball toward the small box as Mayo’s near post flick found the back of the net.
City knocked the final nail in the coffin five minutes from time, as Mayo completed his brace in the iKapa Derby. Again, City looked dangerous down the left wing as Mayo found himself in the right place at the right time to guide home a scrappy finish while tussling with Siyanda Msani inside the six-yard area.
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