Cape Town City and Chippa United were forced to share the spoils after playing to a 1-1 draw at Athlone Stadium in the Absa Premiership on Tuesday evening, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.
The Citizens came into this encounter having last played on the 1 December when they fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Highlands Park, which ended their three-match winning streak in the Absa Premiership.
Meanwhile, the Chilli Boys were hoping to redeem themselves coming into this game after falling to a narrow 1-0 defeat to AmaZulu in their previous league game.
The last time the two side’s met, City managed to secure all three points through goals from Ayanda Patosi and Lyle Lakay.
The home side got off to a great start and took the lead as early as the seventh minute when Taariq Fielies picked out Riyaad Norodien, who slotted the ball home, 1-0.
At the other end, Chippa managed to level matters after 14 minutes when Rhulani Manzini fired his superbly taken free kick past Peter Leeuwenburgh to make it 1-1.
Norodien had a chance to put his side ahead in the 25th minutes after receiving a pass from Ayanda Patosi, but the winger struck his shit straight into the hands of Chippa keeper Daniel Akpeyi.
City should have taken the lead for the second time in the game five minutes later, but Teko Modise blasted his effort straight to the Akpeyi.
Patosi came close to handing the home side the lead, but the City winger blazed his free kick over the target.
However, the game went into the half time interval locked at 1-1.
The second half got off to a slow start with both side’s trying to find their rhythm in the game again.
Edmilson Dove had the first chance of the second half when he made his way to the box before unleashing a strike at goal, but could only managed to fire his effort straight into the hands of the keeper.
The home side started to dominate the game after the hour mark and knocked on Chippa’s door with their one-touch football, while the visitors were happy to sit back and absorb the pressure from City.
Benni McCarthy made his first change of the game after 70 minutes when he introduced Siphelele Mthemb for Modise.
The home side were struggling in front of goal with Roland Putsche firing his effort off target from just outside the Chippa box.
McCarthy made his second change of the match when Allan Kateregga replaced Norodien in the 80th minute.
Both side’s pushed forward in the closing stages of the game as they went in search of the winning goal, but they were forced to settle for a draw at Athlone Stadium.
