Judas Moseamedi’s solitary strike was enough to hand Cape Town City a 1-0 win against Free State Stars in their Absa Premiership encounter at the Cape Town Stadium on Friday night, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.

Eric Tinkler made a host of changes to his squad that lost 1-0 against Maritzburg United in their last encounter, with Edmilson, Judas Moseamedi and Letsie Koapeng replacing Ebrahim Seedat, Tshepo Gumede, and Bhongolwethu Jayiya.

Serame Letsoaka made four changes from the side that lost 2-1 to Polokwane City, opting for more defensive stability with Rooi Mahamutsa, Katlego Mashego, Sifiso Mbhele and Thabo Mpahakisa all being drafted into the starting eleven.

The encounter got off to a slow start with both sides looking to seek out each other’s weaknesses in the opening exchanges.

City captain Lebohang Manyama was unfortunate to see his long-range effort go inches wide of the post in the sixth minute, as the home side gradually found their rhythm.

The home side should have taken the lead in the 16th minute when Koapeng was unselfishly teed up by Manyama, but the onrushing Thela Ngobeni kept his side at bay with a good stop.

El La Koto slowly eased into the game and displayed some good carpet football. A fine passing move by Sekotlong and Dlamini saw the former place his effort straight into the hands of Shuaib Walters in the 20th minute.

Chances came in thick and fast for both teams in quick succession, with Judas Moseamedi and Thabo Mpahakisa both wasting glorious opportunities to put their sides ahead.

Neither side were able to break the deadlock in the first-half, despite being granted with a host of chances.

The second half started in similar vein to the first, with neither side willing to commit too much going forward.

Tinkler opted for the first change of the game and introduced Jayiya for Koapeng in the 55th minute as City went in search of the opener.

The substitution paid dividends for the Citizens as they upped their tempo and grabbed the equaliser in the 62nd minute when Kobola’s enticing delivery in the area was headed in by Moseamedi.

City almost doubled their lead two minutes later when Moseamedi turned provider for Aubrey Ngoma, but goalkeeper Ngobeni produced a fine save from close range to keep the score at 1-0.

Free State Stars did little to muster an equaliser in the remaining minutes of the tie, as City ran out 1-0 victors to leapfrog Mamelodi Sundowns into second place on the table and maintain their title hopes.

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