Royal AM will finish the weekend in second spot on the DStv Premiership standings after playing to a 1-1 draw with Cape Town City on Saturday evening.
Result: Cape Town City 1-1 Royal AM
Date: 16 April 2022
Venue: DHL Stadium
The Citizens were bolstered by the return of Fasika Idumba, who partnered Taariq Fielies in the heart of defence while Royal AM were without centre-back Ricardo Nascimento, with strikers Victor Letsoalo, Mxolisi Macuphu and Ndumiso Mabena all starting.
Eric Tinkler's charges were on the front foot and Thabo Nodada came close to giving them the lead in the 21st minute with a looped strike after a cut-back by Craig Martin in the box that came off the post.
Thwihli Thwahla were waiting for chances on counter-attacks and had a big chance to break the deadlock just after the half-hour mark after Kabelo Mahlasela received a through ball unmarked in the box but he dragged his first-time shot wide.
The visitors remained in attack towards the end of the first stanza as Macuphu eventually broke the deadlock with a close-range strike across goal after controlling a headed pass by Lesego Manyanyi at the near post.
City were struggling to break down a deep block by Royal AM early in the second stanza and on the hour-mark Tinkler took off youngsters Jaeden Rhodes and Taahir Goedeman and brought on the experience of Mpho Makola and Keanu Cupido in tactical changes.
The hosts' pressure paid off seven minutes later after they found the equaliser thanks to an own goal by Zukile Mkhize from a corner.
The Citizens had the attacking momentum in the closing stages and Khanyisa Mayo had a big chance to snatch the winner three minutes before time after after a cut-back by Terrence Mashego, who went through on goal, but his first-time shot was saved by goalkeeper Hugo Nyame from point-blank range.
The game was still there for the taking, as City piled on the pressure while Royal AM had space on counter-attacks, however, John Maduka's charges held on for the share of the spoils to protect their cushion over the Citizens in second spot.
City: 1. Marques, 2. Mkhize, 4. Fasika, 12. Fielies, 14. Mashego, 29. Ambina, 27. Goedeman, 26. Nodada, 48. Rhodes, 30. Martin, 17. Mayo
Subs: 16. Keet, 22. Fisher, 15. Cupido, 8. Makola, 21. Mokeke, 9. Gonzalez, 28. May, 6. Mokhuoane.
Royal AM: 16. Nyame, 14. Matlaba, 13. Manganyi, 22. Rikhotso, 20. Mkhize 12. Mahlasela, 24. Lingwati, 2. Msomi, 10. Mabena, 21. Letsoalo, 9. Macuphu.
Subs: 1. Huegh, 8. Phalane, 45. Goerge, 28. Mabuza, 34. Thikazi, 18. Mashikinya, 11. Potsane, 42. Ncobeni, 17. Mogaila.
