Staff Reporter.
Ten-man Cape Town City produced a gritty performance as they rallied from behind to clinch a 2-1 victory over Swallows FC at DHL Stadium on Saturday night.
It turned out to be a nightmare first half for City, who were not only a man down, but also a goal by the time the teams made their way down to the tunnel for the halftime break.
Winger Monnapule Saleng made it 1-0 after 19 minutes following a hugely enterprising start marked by their high line, which proved effective.It was Christmas coming early for Saleng, who punished a dreadful mistake by midfielder Thato Mokeke, who made a pass across his goalmouth, and it was intercepted.
The goal marked Swallows first away goal after 17 matches this season.
The Citizens were reduced to 10 men in the closing stages of the half as Abbubaker Mobara received a straight red card for a cynical foul on Ruzaigh Gamildien, who looked to be through on goal.
Gamildien’s effort from the set-piece struck the upright and denied Swallows a chance to go further ahead. On the evidence of first-half play, a second goal would have been deserving for Swallows, whose high-press tactic seemed to create an uneasy pressure for City’s rearguard.
In the opening seven minutes of the second half, Swallows managed two shots on target via Lebohang Mokoena and Kamohelo Mahlatsi, and each time City’s shot-stopper Hugo Marques was equal to the task.
As the second half wore on, the 10-man City stepped up the ante and were rewarded with an equaliser just past the hour mark when the Congolese-born central defender Nathan Fasika scored.
Fasika outjumped the Swallows defence from a Thamsanqa Mkhize corner. His header was allowed to bounce plumb in front of the Swallows post, and when the defence failed to clear, Fasika pounced and rifled the ball home. It was his first goal of the season.
Swallows seemed to be running out of steam after this setback, and nine minutes from the end, they were sent packing by a marvellous strike by midfielder Mpho Makola from a free-kick some 35 metres out.
Makola should’ve had a brace in the dying stages from a smart delivery in the area, but he battered the underside of the crossbar as Eric Tinkler’s charges held on for the 2-1 win.
Sunday, 19 December
Royal AM v Kaizer Chiefs – 15:30
Maritzburg United v Chippa United – 18:00.