City triumph against Rovers in league clash

NEWCOMERS Lion City were the biggest winners this weekend in the ABC Motsepe League, when they thrashed Blackburn Rovers 5-1 on Saturday at the Central Stadium in Uitenhage.

The victory saw Lukhanyo Rasaneli of City score a brace.

The Motherwell side had a rocky start as they lost their two opening league games.

Their first win came through a 2-0 victory over long-time rivals Young Ideas in a derby.

The win against Rovers was their second league win.

City had a slow start in the first half but were soon awaken when Rovers took the lead just three minutes into the game through a corner kick.

The Motherwell side were awarded a penalty in the 16th minute, which they converted to make the score 1-1.

Nine minutes later, City went for their second goal and the third goal came just seven minutes later through Rasaneli. The half time score was 3-1. During the second stanza, City started off with their usual slow pace but quickly came into action and scored their fourth goal in the 64th minute.

Though they missed many chances, Rasaneli slotted in his second goal in the 87th minute to make it 5-1. City’s head coach Gcobani Citwa said the Nedbank Cup helped his team understand the league.

“We had a slow start, having to adjust to the new environment but the Nedbank Cup assisted us,” Citwa said.

“We made the semifinals of the Nedbank Cup, which boosted the confidence of the players.

“We have not lost a game since our first league win over Ideas.”

He said they want to finish in the top eight this season. “We just need to take each game as it comes. The players have now gelled in well and they understand what is expected of them.

“As things look now, we can reach that top eight finish,” he said.

Results: Morning Stars 0 Mthatha City 3, Young Ideas 0 EC Bees FC 1, Emperors FC 2 Matta Milan 0, FC Buffalo 2 Subs 1, Blackburn Rovers FC 1 Lion City FC 5, FC Elliot 1 Future Tigers FC 0, Tornado 4 Highbury FC 1, Kokstad Liverpool FC 1 Zimbane Killers FC 3