Cape Town City’s three-match league winning streak came to an abrupt halt on Saturday when they lost 2-0 to Highlands Park at the Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa.
The Citizens appeared to have ended their struggles on the road midweek after they fended off Polokwane City, but were unable to repeat the feat against the Lions of the North.
The home side made the first move, calling City goalkeeper Peter Leeuwenburgh into action to deny Denzil Haoseb the game’s opener in just the fifth minute.
City’s midfield then got a foothold in the game, before Roland Putsche’s speculative effort from range flew over Marlon Heugh in the Highlands goal.
Coach Benni McCarthy’s side then grew in the ascendancy, but goalscoring chances were few and far between.
In the 38th minute, Ayanda Patosi shot straight at Heugh as the half fizzled into the break.
And five minutes into the second period, and it was the hosts who went ahead as Peter Shalulile got on the end of Lindokuhle Mbatha’s cross.
Highlands continued to sit deep and play on the counter-attack and they were doing a fine job as time ticked away without threat to Heugh’s goal from the visitors.
As the match entered the final 15 minutes, both Thami Mkhize and Putsche were unable to guide their efforts on target as expectations grew of a much-needed home win in Tembisa.
Six minutes before time, substitute Tendai Ndoro, the former Kaizer Chiefs and Ajax Cape Town, ensured the points as he finished off neatly to confirm the Cape side’s woes.
The win moves Highlands Park to within a point of City on the log as both sides sit just outside the top eight.
Bloem Celtic 1
Polokwane City 2
SuperSport United 1 Mamelodi Sundowns 2
Orlando Pirates 0 Maritzburg 0
Black Leopards 0 Wits 1
Golden Arrows 2