Staff Reporter.
Swallows FC and Cape Town City shared the spoils in 0-0 2021/22 DStv Premiership draw at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto on Friday evening.
The result moved Swallows and City up to 10th and ninth on the league standings respectively; level on five points with the Citizens having played a game less.
City started the better of the two teams in Dobsonville and Virgil Vries had to be alert in the 13th minute to keep out Suprise Ralani’s dipping effort following a quick counter-attack.
Fagrie Lakay forced Vries into another save soon after as City aimed to punish Swallows with the speed and quality at their disposal down the flanks.
The Birds finally conjured a noteworthy chance of their own on the cusp of halftime. Tebogo Langerman’s free-kick looked destined for the back of the net, but City goalkeeper Hugo Marques moved quickly to his left to deny the hosts.
Marques was at it again five minutes after the break before Lakay sent a rasping shot inches wide of goal at the other end of the pitch.
Acting head coach Simo Dladla introduced Mwape Musonda with four minutes of regulation time remaining in an attempt to force a late goal, but it would be centre-back Sipho Sibiya who would come closest to netting the winner.
The burly defender got on the end of a corner-kick but his header was straight at Marques who made a routine save.
In the end, both teams had to settle for a point as they now shift focus to Wednesday’s MTN8 meeting at the same venue.
MATCHDAY!!!!!
Today’s #DStvPrem Fixtures: pic.twitter.com/nVCoN5bQEa
— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) September 25, 2021
City coach Eric Tinkler believes that his side got an “important point” in their stalemate against Swallows FC.
“It was a good performance from us. We had concerns about our confidence after the 3-0 defeat to Stellenbosch FC. Psychologically getting the point against Swallows was important for our upcoming games against Swallows in the semi-final of the MTN 8 and then against Orlando Pirates, “said Tinkler.
“We controlled the match. I thought we had the better chances and possibly deserved to come out of the game with three points. It was important for us to bounce back with a positive result against Swallows and I think we’ve done that,” added Tinkler.