Absa Premiership Report: Cape Town City v Stellenbosch 10 August 2019

Cape Town City claimed their first win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Stellenbosch FC in the Western Cape derby at Athlone Stadium on Saturday evening.  

City took the lead in the fifth minute. Amethyst Ralani played the one-two with Kermit Erasmus before feeding the ball in to the feet of Christofer David, who swivelled well in the box and planted a sublime left-footed finish on the angle in to the bottom left-hand corner from the left-hand side.   Benni McCarthy's side had a gilt-edged opportunity to double their lead in the 23rd minute. Thami Mkhize's through-ball released Erasmus clear on goal, who was thwarted by Stellies shot-stopper Boy de Jong with the rebound falling directly in to the path of Ralani but he ballooned the effort over the bar with the goal at his mercy.   The hosts won a free-kick in a promising position on the edge of the box in the 31st minute and Iqraam Rayners bent the set-piece narrowly over the bar.   Rayners was looking a livewire throughout, constantly terrorising the City defence with his pace and it was clear to see how he came away with the NFD top goalscorer award last season.   Shortly after the interval, Rayners brought a good stop out of Peter Leeuwenburgh with a long-range effort.   In the 54th minute, Gift Links rounded the keeper and shot at goal but his effort was intercepted by a great piece of defending from Stellenbosch.   In the 65th minute, Links cut inside well on his left foot but his effort went over the bar. Five minutes later, David curled an effort wide of the right-hand upright shortly before being substituted as City continued to push for a second.   Stellies had a glorious opportunity to level matters three minutes before stoppage time. Having dispossessed City in midfield, Steve Barker's side launched a swift counter-attack with the ball being played all the way to the back post for Waseem Isaacs, who only had the keeper to beat, but his shot unluckily ricocheted off the outside of the left-hand upright and out.   Barker's men had another massive chance in injury time. Kristopher Bergman crossed from the left-hand side on to the foot of Isaacs, but his guided volley was brilliantly saved by Leeuwenburgh as the Citizens came away with the three points.

City: 1. Leeuwenburgh, 2. Mkhize, 15. Cupido, 5. Edmilson, 6. Seedat, 38. Kewuti, 10. David, 8. Makola, 7. Links, 11. Ralani, 9. Erasmus.   Subs: 16. Stephens, 30. Martin, 26. Nodada, 29. Roberts, 20. Morris, 17. Norodien, 25. Mthembu.   Stellenbosch: 31. De Jong, 20. Robertson, 13. Van Heerden, 47. Gould, 5. Mthethwa, 15. Bergman, 44. Awono, 50. Zungu, 6. Moroole, 10. Rayners, 18. Skelem.   Subs: 2. Mathebela, 3. Ndlovu, 21. Isaacs, 8. Matsi, 9. Du Preez, 11. Franco, 35. Langeveldt.