Cape Town City claimed bragging rights in the first instalment of the Cape Town derby after securing a 1-0 victory over Stellenbosch at Athlone Stadium on Saturday, reports DYLAN APPOLIS.

The Citizens came into this game off the back of a 2-2 draw with Baroka after the Limpopo-based outfit came from two goals down to secure a vital point.

Meanwhile, Stellies grabbed their first point in their maiden league debut when they played out to a goalless draw with Chippa United in Port Elizabeth last weekend.

City got off to the perfect start and took the lead early in the first half when Chris David unleashed a strike from the edge of the area to beat Boy De Jong.

Benni McCarthy’s side continued to dominate proceedings as the game went on and nearly doubled their lead after 23 minutes when Kermit Erasmus played a cross towards Surprise Ralani, who blazed his effort wide of the target.

City produced another chance at goal five minutes later when Gift Links tried his luck from distance, but couldn’t maintain his composure as his effort sailed wide of goal.

Iqraam Rayners had a chance to level matters in the 34th minute, but the Stellies striker fired his free kick over the target.

Ralani had a chance of his own after 35 minutes of play, but the City winger fired his shot straight into the hands of the Stellenbosch shotstopper.

The Citizens held on to their lead as the game went into half time 1-0 in favour of City.

Stellies came out the better side in the second half and produced an early chance, but their effort was safely kept out by Peter Leeuwenburgh.

Links should have doubled City’s lead in the 54th minute when he rounded the keeper and took a shot at goal, but his shot was intercepted by a great piece of defending by Stellenbosch.

McCarthy made his first change just after the hour mark when he introduced Craig Martin, replacing captain Thamsanqa Mkhize.

Stellenbosch made a change of their own three minutes later when Nkanyiso Zungu substituted Diego Franco Mares.

McCarthy made his second change when Siphelele Mthembu was brought on for goalscorer David.

Stellies continued to gain momentum and press forward in search of an equaliser, while City were forced to sit back and soak up the pressure.

The newly promoted side nearly levelled matters in the 75th minute when Marc van Heerden launched a free kick into the area, which nearly ended up in the back of the net.

City effected their final change five minutes later when Erasmus made way for Thabo Nodada, while Stellies substituted Alan Robertson for Waseem Iscaas.

Iscaas nearly made an instant impact off the bench when he unleashed a shot from the edge of the area, but the attacker failed to find the back of the net with his effort sailing wide of goal.

The Citizens survived a late scare from Stellenbosch to secure all the points at Athlone Stadium.