Ten-man Sekhukhune United condemned Cape Town City to their 14th Betway Premiership defeat of the season after they held out for a close-shave 2-1 win at the Cape Town Stadium on Sunday evening.
City came into the game on an 11-match winless run across all competitions, and with 24 points after 25 games, they remain in 14th place on the log. Sekhukhune, with 37 points after 23 games, moved into a lofty third place — their highest log position this season. The outcome also allowed Sekhukhune to do the double over City.
The opening stages were marked by a lack of attacking cohesion, seemingly due to the players’ tactical shortcomings. Players avoided prolonged possession and opted for long passes to induce a measure of attacking fluidity.
Early attacking sorties were thwarted close to the penalty areas, as the defensive lines were solid, timeously clearing their lines without being stretched.
Unsurprisingly, the lack of direction and purpose on the field saw only one final-third entry from each team in the opening 20 minutes. Sekhukhune had to deal with an early disruption after central midfielder Vusimuzi Mncube suffered an injury, bringing a premature end to his game. Khulekani Shezi replaced him.
City were awarded a free-kick in a favourable position, some five metres from their penalty area, and Jaedin Rhodes’ set-piece delivery into the 18-yard area was headed over the crossbar by the Frenchman Amadou Soukouna.
Sekhukhune responded to this let-off with two goals in 15 minutes, after City’s woeful defence was torn to shreds. First, Sekhukhune produced a long throw-in, which Nigerian Chibuike Ohizu headed into City’s penalty area. After the ball bounced, the hesitant defence failed to act timeously, and Samkele Sihlali pounced to score his maiden Premiership goal.
When it seemed City would avert further damage before the half-time break, they allowed winger Vuyo Letlapa to round their defence out wide down the left channel. City’s retreating central defence did not cut off Letlapa’s goalmouth cross, and Ohizu was left with an easy tap-in to double Sekhukhune’s lead (2-0).
When the players resumed for second-half play, City’s line-up showed two changes. Soukouna made way for Kayden Francis, and Kamohelo Mokotjo came on for Venezuelan Darwin González, who had an inauspicious first half in a match marking his 100th appearance for City.
Before kick-off, City chairman John Comitis presented him with a commemorative plaque.
Sekhukhune’s lone change saw DRC defender Trésor Yamba make way for Katlego Mohamme.
A minute into second-half play, substitute Shezi was given his marching orders after receiving a second yellow card. The numerical advantage seemed to provide City’s play with a lift, and suddenly there was an increased sense of urgency in their ranks.
Just past the hour mark, City found the back of the net after Rhodes outstripped his markers out wide and struck a low goalmouth cross behind the Sekhukhune rearguard. Unmarked Francis ran between the central defenders and chested the ball past goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner (2-1).
Despite their pressure towards the end of the match, City could not make a further breakthrough and suffered yet another defeat.
