Chippa United 0-1 Cape Town City: Erasmus on target as Seema starts Chilli Boys tenure with defeat
Riekerink’s charges moved to within a point of eighth-placed Highlands Park on the PSL standings after an important win in Soweto
Cape Town City moved closer to the top eight bracket following a 1-0 win over Chippa United at Orlando Stadium on Friday afternoon.
Kermit Erasmus’ first-half goal was the difference as the Mother City-based side bagged only their eighth win of the season.
The former Orlando Pirates marksman headed home after being left unmarked in the box following a delightful cross by Fagrie Lakay.
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City dominated possession for the better part of the game while Chippa chased the game and often had to soak up the pressure.
With this being Lehlohonolo Seema’s first game in charge of the Chilli Boys, changes in their usual starting line-up were expected.
Seema started with Mlungisi Mazibuko in goals while Thokozani Sekotlong led the attack as a lone striker.
His counterpart, Jan Olde Riekerink, didn’t make any surprising changes to the team that featured heavily before the suspension of the season in March.
Peter Leeuwenburgh kept his place in between sticks while Erasmus, Lakay and Surprise Ralani completed the 4-3-3 formation upfront.
After a slow start to the first-half, City created their first real chance through Lakay in the 15th minute but he would sky his out-of-box effort over the crossbar after a brilliant combination with Erasmus and Shane Roberts.
City then took the lead two minutes later through Erasmus who was left lurking inside the box and the diminutive striker made no mistake, heading the ball past Mazibuko.
This was after Lakay had positioned himself well to collect the ball from a Chippa United throw-in before whipping a cross into the box.
It was the 25th goal that Chippa United had conceded this season – a record Seema will have to work on improving ahead of next season provided he keeps the job beyond the current campaign.
The game lost its spark soon afterwards with Chippa United having to deal with the pace of City’s front three while trying to create goalscoring chances of their own.
However, it was a rather disappointing half as they only registered a single shot at goal – a Ruzaigh Gamaldien attempt which went wide without even troubling Leeuwenburgh.
Whatever Seema told his players at half-time really worked wonders as Chippa United took the game to City soon after the restart.
Their first shot at goal after the restart came a few minutes into the second half when Gamaldien fired wide from inside City’s box.
Lakay proved too much for the home side as he used his pace to unsettle the defence.
He was fouled in a promising position for City to double their lead but Mduduzi Mdantsane’s free-kick sailed over the crossbar.
More to follow…
