PSL race wide open
Cape Town City blew the Premier Soccer League title race wide open on Tuesday, coming from behind, as has become their habit, to upend Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in their vital league clash at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town.
New signing Christopher Davids, fresh from the Netherlands, hit a stunning free kick with his left foot to ensure a vital three-point haul for his side with just two minutes left.
It was a grandstand finish that makes the title race most absorbing with only two months left.
The win means City are just one point behind Sundowns, who have a game in hand but are beginning to look tired.
A 14th-minute goal from Lebogang Maboe had Sundowns ahead at halftime, but Kermit Erasmus pulled one back soon after the break.
“Sundowns are the best in the league and they don’t make it easy for you, but when the mindset starts to kick in, we can do the business,” victorious coach Benni McCarthy said.
Again, Orlando Pirates dropped points from a game they could as easily have won, being held to a 1-1 Absa Premiership draw by a Bloemfontein Celtic parking a bus and trailer at the Orlando Stadium on Tuesday night.
In the second half, Celtic set out to defend centreback Tshepo Rikhotso's 37th-minute strike that had come in the first half against the run of play.
They survived plenty of scares, and substitute Luvuyo Memela managed a 79thminute equaliser.
Pirates deserved more, but such clear opportunities needed to be taken to receive it.
In a jam-packed top five, results such as these are preventing any of the front-runners from pulling ahead of the pack.
Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic, after a string of unconvincing results, has spoken of a new punching power from a 34-3 formation that resulted in a 4-1 win against AmaZulu at Orlando, as well as a 1-0 away victory against Lamontville Golden Arrows.
Certainly, the quantity of skill and penetration that could be offered from wingbacks Vincent Pule and Kudakwashe Mahachi supporting a front three of Justin Shonga, Thembinkosi Lorch and Augustine Mulenga was formidable.
Despite this, Pirates managed only half-chances in the first half.
Celtic’s goal came against the direction of play.
Neo Maema’s corner was not cleared, allowing Ndumiso Mabena to pass to Rikhotso, who spooned past Wayne Sandilands.
Coming out of the change rooms, Celtic were intent on defending the single-goal lead.
Pirates worked the ball around to penetrate the visiting players behind the ball.
A goal had to come. It arrived from skill by Pule, skipping past two defenders then teeing up Memela, who had come on for Mulenga in the 59th, to roll a finish past Patrick Tignyemb.