Cape Town City ended their run of back-to-back losses in the DStv Premiership with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Swallows FC on Sunday evening.
The Citizens made three changes to the side that lost to Royal AM in the Nedbank Cup on penalties, as goalkeeper Darren Keet, Khanyisa Mayo and Taahir Goedeman were recalled.
Swallows, on the other hand, altered four places from their defeat against Stellenbosch in the Nedbank Cup, as shot-stopper Thakasani Mbanjwa, Kwanda Mngonyama, Lindokuhle Mtshali and Tawanda Macheke was handed his debut.
Goedeman gave City an early lead with a stunning volley from outside the box, and Taariq Fielies doubled their lead ten minutes after the halftime break with another sublime strike from range.
Ernst Middendorp’s troops were pinned back in their own half and were reduced to ten men on the hour-mark after Keegan Allan’s tackle on Mayo, who was going clear on goal, was adjudged to be denying City’s striker a clear goal-scoring opportunity and he received a red-card.
To try to contain the home side, who were threatening to run riot in the closing stages, Swallows made a double tactical change for defensive reasons, as Bongani Sam and Nicholus Lukhubeni both replaced two strikers Macheke and Evans Rusike.
Swallows had a better resistance after that but their surge at goal was a case of too little too late. There was bit of drama in the closing stages, as both teams had a player sent off after Swallows’ Sam and City’s Thamsanqa Mkhize were given their marching orders.
In the end, City held on to secure the win and end their run of losses in the DStv Premiership.
