Nodada pulls the strings in City victory

his side in the lead after 27 minutes as Patosi played a champagne pass to the former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates talisman, but he looped his shot over the bar.

United have not been the same at the back without their former captain, Bevan Fransman. They have been sloppy, fragile and shaky. In their two league matches, United have conceded four goals which is a poor return from the team who were the second best defensive unit last term.

City were the more threatening of the two sides. Mthembu was causing all sorts of troubles with his strength and the ability to hold on the ball and bring his teammates into the game.

Thabo Nodada was pulling all the strings in the middle of the park for City and kept Ndlovu quiet for much of the first half. It wasn’t surprising that Nodada walked away with the man of match award.

The goal finally came just one minute before the interval as goalkeeper Richard Ofori paired Patosi’s corner to Cupido, who pounced unmarked from the far post.

City could have played the first half without the goalkeeper and they would have escaped unharmed and unhurt. Leeuwenburg was purely a spectator.

United came back from the interval more determined, but Nodada was marvellous to watch for City, breaking all the good moves that United were trying to conjure up. Leeuwenburg was finally in the game and was equal to the task as he produced a magnificent diving save to deny Tlou Masegela.

City outclassed United in every department and they were the deserving winners on the day.