With more composure in attack, City could’ve embarrassed Downs
IT was that man Lebogang Manyama again who sensationally stole the show as Cape Town City defeated team of the moment, Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in a PSL fixture at Loftus Versveld yesterday afternoon.
While Sundowns had more of the possession, City had the better scoring opportunities – and, with a bit of luck and a lot more composure in attack, they could well have embarrassed the African champions.
The Cape side’s brilliant, gutsy display was epitomised by the performance of the magnificent Manyama. The Mother City club’s captain gave the Sundowns defence a torrid time indeed. His guile, intelligent off-the-ball running and crafty interplay with teammates ensured that City continued to create openings throughout the 90 minutes. And, to crown it all, he scored two fantastic goals as well.
From the opening whistle, it was evident that City weren’t, initially, prepared to mix it with Sundowns with regard to free, open football.
The idea was to force the Pretoria club into errors and then capitalise on the counter. It certainly worked a charm as City took the lead in the 22nd minute. Left-back Ebrahim Seedat gained possession, threaded a delightful pass for Aubrey Ngoma, whose run and cut back into the penalty area found the late-arriving Manyama. The City captain didn’t need another invitation and, gleefully, tucked the ball into the net.
Sundowns, champions that they are, fought back in search of parity. But, such was the defensive organisation of City, that the Brazilians had to be content with opportunities from dead-ball situations – a Khama Billiat free-kick effort was easily dealt with by City goalkeeper Shu-Aib Walters and, minutes later, Hlompho Kekana smashed in another free-kick, but Walters pulled off a great save.
City had two more really inviting chances, with the impressive Manyama hitting the woodwork and Ngoma firing an attempt against the body of a Downs defender when he had an empty net gaping.
But, with Sundowns’ allround class, they were always going to get back into it – and they duly did in the 58th minute. Again, the danger came from a free-kick, with Billiat’s superb delivery met by an excellent glancing header from Thabo Nthethe.
At 1-1, with the weather cooling down in the late afternoon, and both teams eager to snatch the victory, the game then opened up and it made for some really entertaining action in the second half. City opened up Sundowns at will – and it was left to Manyama to score a dramatic winner in the 83rd minute to crown a great performance, a great victory.