Cape Town City 1-2 Kaizer Chiefs: Amakhosi survive late scare to edge Citizens

Kaizer Chiefs were made to sweat for a 2-1 victory over Cape Town City in a Premier Soccer League (PSL) match which was played at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday evening.

Two first-half goals from Nkgosingiphile Ngcobo, 21, and Happy Mashiane, 23, handed Amakhosi the lead and Fagrie Lakay scored what proved to be the Citizens' consolation goal. 

The Citizens were looking to bounce back to winning ways as they were winless in two matches in the league having drawn 2-2 with Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila last weekend. 

Coach Jan Olde Riekerink made four changes to the team which faced Tshakhuma with Keanu Cupido, Terrence Mashego, Mpho Makola and Thabo Nodada all returning to the starting line-up. 

Meanwhile, Amakhosi were hoping to win two matches in a row in the league for the first time this season having claimed a 1-0 victory over AmaZulu FC in midweek.

Kearyn Baccus and Ngcobo were recalled to the starting line-up as coach Gavin Hunt made two changes to the team which took on AmaZulu in Durban.

Although the Citizens saw most of the ball in the opening stages of the match, it was Amakhosi, who looked more dangerous whenever they pushed forward on transition.

The visitors broke the deadlock seven minutes into the game following a quick move down the left-hand side after some good work by Happy Mashiane, whose pinpoint cross found Dumisani Zuma.

Zuma then set-up Ngcobo, who fired past City goalkeeper Peter Leeuwenburgh with a sublime finish to make it 1-0 to Chiefs with the hosts' defence caught ball watching in the box.

The Soweto giants continued to play on transition and they doubled their lead after City midfielder Bradley Ralani had lost possession down the right-hand side.

Samir Nurkovic quickly set-up Mashiane, who rounded Leeuwenburgh, before hitting the back of the net with a low effort to make it 2-0 to Chiefs in the 19th minute. 

City then applied some pressure on the visitors, but Daniel Akpey was in top form in the Chiefs goal-posts as he pulled off two amazing saves to deny Mduduzi Mdantsane and Ralani to ensure that the first-half ended with Chiefs leading 2-0.

Craig Martin was introduced prior to the start of the second half as the Citizens looked to pull one back and the speedy winger brought pace and determination to the hosts' attack.

Nodada had a glorious opportunity to score from close range, but Akpeyi produced a brilliant reflex save to deny the Bafana Bafana international with pressure mounting on the visitors.

Hunt responded by introducing midfielders Lebogang Manyama and Njabulo Blom as the Glamours looked to take control of the match.

However, City continued to dominate the game and Nododa watched in disbelief as his effort beat Akpeyi, but the woodwork came to Amakhosi's rescue and they cleared their lines.

City's pressure did pay off when Fagrie Lakay scored with a low effort to make it 2-1 in the 83rd minute after being set-up by Charles Zulu. 

The visitors were under siege in the closing stages of the match as City looked to snatch a late equalizing goal, but Chiefs managed to weather the storm and ultimately, they emerged 2-1 winners on the day.

The victory saw Chiefs climb up to eighth spot on the league standings ahead of their clash with Tshakhuma on Tuesday which will be played at FNB Stadium.

While City remain sixth on the standings, they will be in action on Wednesday as they take on Black Leopards at Thohoyandou Stadium.