CAPE TOWN - Cape Town City's remarkable run of form in their debut season in the PSL continued when they saw off a plucky Highlands Park 3-0 at the Cape Town Stadium on Tuesday night.
It wasn't all plain-sailing for the Cape side. The score line is certainly not a reflection of the action. City were made to toil for the three points by a courageous Highlands outfit that never gave up, always kept trying and always kept pushing forward. But, in the end, City's potent attack and superb transitional play were just too superior.
Now for the Cape derby against Ajax Cape Town on Saturday night. What a game that could turn out to be. Ajax got hammered 5-0 by log leaders on Tuesday – they'll be desperate to atone for that humiliation, which makes for an intriguing derby between two bitter rivals at the weekend.
At the Cape Town Stadium, City's starting line-up reflected their intention to show off a fresh new look for the second half of the campaign, with starts for new signings Letsie Koapeng and Mozambican leftback Edmilson Dove.
The Capetonians were quick to push on from where they left off last year and it was, as usual, that man Manyama who sparked the team. Aubrey Ngoma created the opening from the left, by playing in the in-form City captain, who made no mistake by burying a delicious curling effort into the top corner.
Highlands, however, refused to drop their heads after the early setback. They gradually started to settle and gain more confidence in possession – and they were desperately unlucky not to equalise in the 17th minute when Charlton Mashumba blasted a shot that flew agonisingly wide of goal.
The visitors from Tembisa fielded a team which included a few seasoned campaigners like Surprise Moriri and Franklin Cale, and it was their experience that clearly came to the fore. Highlands continued to press and they then had another inviting chance to score, which Mothobi Mvala headed wide.
Despite all the good work Highlands were doing in possession, the secret to City's success in their debut PSL season has been their devastating counter-attacking play. And it proved no different as they caught Highlands out on transition in the 33rd minute, surged forward rapidly and the final ball saw Koapeng make no mistake with a sweet finish from inside the area.
The former Orlando Pirates striker was brought in during the January transfer window from First Division Stellenbosch FC – and his sharpness in front of goal proved that he's determined to make an impact at City.The Capetonians should have increased their advantage soon after Koapeng's goal, but Sibusiso Masina powered a header against the cross bar.
With City now clearly in the ascendancy, Masina had another great opportunity on the stroke of halftime, but Highlands goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini pulled off a fantastic save to deny the winger.
Substitute Judas Moseamedi finished things off by netting a third for City two minutes before the end.
While there was obviously a touch of rustiness about the play, City, nevertheless, gave notice that they'll be among the challengers for the title in a few months' time.
Coach Eric Tinkler was extremely loud and vocal on the touch line, barking out his dissatisfaction, especially at the fact that City were, at the times, dilly-dallying too long on the ball. But they'll be better after shaking off the cobwebs during Tuesday’s outing – and, whatever the game situation, you can always expect City to score goals. They are just so good on the break.
Manyama remains the main man, Ngoma's pace out wide is a constant threat, central defender Robyn Johannes kept things tight at the back, and Austrian Roland Putsche is the glue that holds everything together.
Koapeng is a forward to monitor as the season progresses, while Dove had a solid debut in the blue and yellow of City.