Absa Premiership
Result: Cape Town City 2-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 05 March 2019
Venue: Athlone Stadium
Mamelodi Sundowns relinquished top spot in the Absa Premiership, after Cape Town City staged another come-from-behind victory on Tuesday evening.
With Sundowns pushing for a return to winning ways, January acquisition Emiliano Tade was drafted into the side, with Anthony Laffor making way.
The change certainly paid dividends as Tade played a key role in the opening goal with a superb pass to play in Lebohang Maboe, who slotted into the far corner for his seventh goal of the campaign on 13 minutes.
Siphelele Mthembu returned to the City line-up and he should have bagged his eighth league goal when he was played through by Kermit Erasmus, but the former Kaizer Chiefs man somehow fired wide with only Kennedy Mweene to beat midway through the first half.
The Citizens did not resemble a side that staged an impressive comeback against Bidvest Wits a few days ago, as their sloppiness on the ball gifted the Brazilians a few sights at goal, but they were unable to take advantage.
Other than Mthembu's golden chance at the midway point, Benni McCarthy's troops were unable to mount any serious openings on Mweene's goal.
Benni McCarthy's halftime team-talk worked wonders against Wits, and looked to have the same effect against Sundowns as City were level six minutes into the second stanza, with Erasmus volleying home from six-yards out.
Sundowns threw bodies forward in search of a second goal but they were met by an inspired Peter Leeuwenburg, who produced a superb save at point-blank range to deny Tebogo Langerman after 68 minutes.
In an attempt to find a winner, Pitso Mosimane introduced Phakamani Mahlambi for Gaston Sirino, while Benni McCarthy threw on new signing Chris David for Mthembu.
The decision to introduce David proved to be a stroke of genius, as the Dutch-born midfielder curled home a superb free-kick to seal the win for the Citizens with three minutes remaining.
With Orlando Pirates drawing 1-1 with Bloemfontein Celtic, Sundowns have now dropped to second spot as the Buccaneers move top.
Here's how they lined up:
City: 1. Leeuwenburg, 2. Mkhize, 12. Fielies, 5. Edmilson, 6. Seedat, 21. Mokeke, 33. Erasmus, 17. Norodien (Links 62') , 38. Kewuti, 11. Ralani, 25. Mthembu (David 68').
Subs: 16. Stephens, 24. Graham, 15. Cupido, 8. Modise, 7. Links, 30. Martin, 18. David.
Sundowns: 1. Mweene, 16. Ngcongca, 40. Coetzee, 2. Lebusa, 4. Langerman, 8. Kekana, 13. Mabunda, 18. Zwane, 26. Sirino (Mahlambi 67'), 33. Maboe (Laffor 90+4'), 12. Tade (Jali 86').
Subs: 31. Pieterse, 5. Jali, 34. Mahlambi, 28. Laffor, 32. Madisha, 23. Lakay, 6. Arendse.
