CT City soar back to the top

LEBOGANG Manyama has hogged the limelight all season and it was no different here last night as the Cape Town City captain inspired his team to a 1-0 victory over PSL and African champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

The result moved City back to the top of the standings on 38 points, followed by Wits on 37 and SuperSport United on 35.

For Manyama, the goal was his 11th league strike of the season and the City talisman is now level at the top of the PSL scoring charts with Orlando Pirates striker Tendai Ndoro.

City’s triumph also means the Cape team have now done the double over the best team on the continent, having beaten Sundowns home and away.

The fixture certainly lived up to its billing as one of the most anticipated PSL games of the seasons. City have been capturing hearts all season because of the enterprise of their football, while Sundowns, need it be said, are the champions of Africa.

Football followers had been waiting patiently for this one and the action didn’t disappoint.

City had come with the clear strategy of pressing high and placing Sundowns under pressure. The game plan was to allow the champion Pretoria side little time and space on the ball and then hit them on the counter. It worked well as City put the opposition’s man in possession under an inordinate amount of pressure.

As a result, City racked up the chances, Lehlohonolo Majoro going close with a header in the opening 30 seconds and other opportunities going to Robyn Johannes, Roland Putsche and Thato Mokeke, and another inviting chance for Majoro on the stroke of half-time.

Sundowns, though, got stronger as the first half progressed and they, too, had their moments, with scoring opportunities for Percy Tau, Sibusiso Vilakazi and Themba Zwane.

The second half started with both teams threatening. City’s Sibusiso Masina had a shot blocked by the Sundowns defence and Putsche hoofed one wide. At the other end, Vilakazi’s snapshot was saved by City keeper Shu-aib Walters.

But something had to give and it was the Capetonians who got the goal when Majoro’s pass put Manyama in the clear and the in-form City skipper made no mistake with a sweet lob over advancing Sundowns keeper Wayne Sandilands.

A minute later, the Pretoria side had a great chance to equalise, but Johannes was on hand to clear Anthony Laffor’s attempt off the goal-line.

Earlier this week, in the build-up to the game, City coach Eric Tinkler made no secret of the significance of the result against Sundowns. If City beat Sundowns, he said, then his team had every right to be potential title winners.

Well, they did beat Sundowns, so if you weren’t convinced before, better get with the plot. City are serious title contenders.