Absa Premiership
Result: Stellenbosch 1-0 Cape Town City
Date: 20 August 2020
Venue: Absa Tuks Stadium
Stellenbosch FC claimed the bragging rights in the Cape derby on Thursday after defeating Cape Town City 1-0 in Absa Premiership action.
The Citizens made two changes from their win over Mamelodi Sundowns as Thamsanqa Mkhize and Ebrahim Seedat were recalled while Stellies made only alteration, with Asavela Mbekile taking the place of the suspended Ovidy Karuru.
Stellies had a wonderful chance to grab the lead in the 15th minute after Ashley Du Preez went clear on goal from Mbekile's through ball but his shot was saved by goalkeeper Peter Leeuwenburgh.
The game opened up after the half-hour mark, with Stellies fancying their chances on the break and they came close to breaking the deadlock five minutes before the break after Nathan Sinkala unleashed a left footed strike from the centre of the box that came off the post.
Jan Olde Riekerink's army thought they had finally got the breakthough just a minute before the break after Kermit Erasmus found the back of the net with a classy lobbed finish over shot-stopper Lee Langeveldt, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Moments later, Barker's troops almost went to the break with the lead after Lelethu Skelem caught Leeuwenburgh off of his line with a left-footed strike from the left side of the box but Abbubaker Mobara made a vital clearance off the line to keep the score goalless at the interval.
Stellies started the second stanza on the front foot and eventually broke the deadlock five minutes from the break after Skelem thumped home a low powerful volley from the edge of the box that left Leeuwenburgh with no chance.
City had a good chance to equalise in the 63rd minute after Tashreeq Morris received a cross from Seedat unmarked in the centre of the box but he could not direct his free header on target.
After a quiet spell in the second half, Riekerink's men almost levelled matters in a goal-mouth scramble inside the box as Taariq Fielies unleashed a deflected shot that came off the bottom post while Erasmus failed to capitalise on a rebound.
Morris almost snatched the equaliser in added time with a low powerful strike from distance but Langeveldt was able to make the save and Stellies their first-ever win over the Citizens.
Here's how they lined up:
Stellenbosch: 35. Langeveldt, 42. Mobbie, 13. Van Heerden, 4. De Goede, 20. Robertson, 23. Sinkala, 16. Johannes, 12. Scott, 32. Mbekile, 9. Du Preez, 18. Skelem.
Subs: 1. Pool, 3. Ndlovu, 15. Bergman, 22. Solomons, 21. Isaacs, 29. Moon, 5. Mthethwa, 14. Msengi, 6. Moroole.
City: 1. Leeuwenburgh, 2. Mkhize, 12. Fielies, 3. Mobara, 6. Seedat, 28. Mdantsane, 26. Nodada, 18. Roberts, 11. Ralani, 23. Lakay, 9. Eramsus.
Subs: 15. Stephens, 5. Edmilson, 21. Mokeke, 27. Potouridis, 38. Kewuti, 15. Cupido, 10. Morris, 8. Makola, 45. Appollis.
