Cape Town City couldn’t make it back-to-back wins for incoming coach Jan Olde Riekerink after losing 2-1 at Black Leopards on Sunday.
And once again, it was their defence that let them down, switching off to allow a late winner in Thohoyandou.
City found themselves a goal down after 18 minutes when Robert Ng’ambi fired the hosts ahead with a shot from the edge of the penalty area.
The visitors had shown little threat in sweltering conditions, but they looked refreshed after a water break on the 20-minute mark and should have been level by half time had Thabo Nodada done better with his tame 41st-minute effort.
But they picked up where they left off and hammered away at the
Leopards defence.
And they got their reward just five minutes after the break.
OFFICIAL: Benni will not be returning to Cape Town City. Picture: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix.
Surprise Ralani found space on the edge of the area and scored with a clinical strike.
City’s good work was nearly undone in the 53rd minute when Mwape
Musonda was played in on goal, but be wasted his chance.
Halftime substitute Fagrie Lakay caused the drained Leopards defence all sorts of problems with his searing pace and he came close to giving the visitors the lead, but his 55th-minute effort hit the side-netting.
ACTION: Jan Olde Riekerink will have to take action to rik his team reg. Picture: Twitter/@CapeTownCityFC.
Pushing hard for a winner, City were sucker-punched by their hosts as Lesedi Kapinga scored a 84th-minute winner when he was played in by
Musonda to beat goalkeeper Sage Stephens in a one-on-one duel
Stellenbosch, meanwhile, held on for a goalless draw with Highlands Park on Saturday, despite playing with just 10 men for entire half at Cape Town Stadium.
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The Citizens had to make-do without veteran defender Morgan Gould after he was given his marching orders for a second yellow card.