Cape Town City secured their first away win of the season with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Chippa United during the Betway Premiership encounter held at the Buffalo City Stadium on Saturday evening. The match was significant, not just for the victory itself, but also for the positioning of both teams within the league standings.
The Citizens, led by coach Eric Tinkler, climbed to the 10th spot following this win, which was fueled by late-game heroics from Kayden Francis. This goal, scored in the 82nd minute, marked the highlight of the game and was pivotal for City as they aimed to propel themselves back up the table.
The first half of the match was characterized by missed opportunities from both sides. Chippa United entered the contest off the back of recent promising performances but struggled to find their groove. Their key forward, Prins Tjiueza, nearly put his team on the board early, only to see his shot hit the woodwork 11 minutes in. Meanwhile, Chippa’s Sixonolo Kwayiba, fresh off his own standout performance against Magesi FC, was unable to convert his chances, with both teams going scoreless at the halftime mark.
After the break, the tides began to change, with Cape Town City creating more goal-scoring opportunities. The visitors began to dominate, forcing Stanley Nwabali, Chippa’s goalkeeper, to make several notable saves against Gabriel Amato’s efforts on goal. Despite Nwabali's valiant efforts, it was Francis who finally broke through the Chippa defense late in the game, sending the away fans at Buffalo City Stadium home happy.
Upon securing the win, Tinkler expressed his pride at the team’s performance, noting the importance of converting chances. “We needed this win to boost our confidence,” he stated post-match. Meanwhile, Chippa's coach Kwanele Kopo reflected on the result, acknowledging the need to regroup and prepare for their next matchup against Kaizer Chiefs on December 29.
Other noteworthy matches from the weekend included AmaZulu’s thrilling 2-1 victory over Royal AM at the King Zwelithini Stadium. This win was equally pivotal, with AmaZulu climbing to 11th place on the table. Hendrick Ekstein opened the scoring for AmaZulu, showcasing their attacking prowess, followed by Michael Mbanjwa’s strike shortly after the interval.
Royal AM attempted to mount a comeback, with Lesedi Mashiane scoring late to narrow the gap, but it wasn’t enough to disrupt AmaZulu’s rhythm. The win provided much-needed momentum as AmaZulu aims to leverage this performance for future matches.
On another day of tightly contested football, SuperSport United edged past Magesi FC with a narrow 1-0 victory. Bradley Grobler netted the decisive goal during the second half, indicating SuperSport’s resolve to challenge for the top positions amid competition.
Richards Bay also earned valuable points with their own 1-0 win against Golden Arrows. A late goal from Lindokuhle Zikhali sealed the match for Richards Bay, illustrating the competitive edge present within the league as teams vie for superior standings.
The upcoming fixtures promise to be just as exhilarating, with several teams aiming to build on their recent successes. Chippa United will look to bounce back against Kaizer Chiefs, facing the challenge of continuing their fight for points after this recent setback.
Meanwhile, Cape Town City will eye back-to-back wins when they host AmaZulu, where both teams will be eager to solidify their standings. It’s shaping up to be a thrilling run-in as the season progresses, and fans will be anticipating each match.
The Betway Premiership continues to provide intense competition and surprises, as teams strive for glory week in and week out. With every game, the excitement builds — who can predict how the standings might shift next?
