CAPE TOWN – Benni McCarthy has been vocal about his Cape Town City side’s recent profligacy in front of goal. As such, the coach has regularly been demanding an improved performance from his men in attack. On Friday night at the Athlone Stadium, he didn’t just get goals, he got two absolute crackers as City comprehensively defeated Chippa United 2-0.
After four losses on the trot going into this clash, McCarthy needed his players to be more clinical and more composed when confronted with goal-scoring situations. The team responded in fine style and, by half-time, the Citizens were already two goals to the good.
Ayanda Patosi got things going in the 25th minute with swerving shot from range that swept into the net. It was the kind of goal that inspires football teams – and City certainly took great heart from the midfielder’s effort as they then proceeded to boss the game.
Patosi deserves great credit for the manner in which he has bounced back from adversity. He has had weight issues this season and was placed on a special diet and training regime by the club.
Because of this, the kid from Khayelitsha hasn’t played all that much this season – but, on his return on Friday night, he cut a slimmer, more purposeful player. His touch was superb, he put himself about enthusiastically and, when the chance presented itself, he took it with aplomb.
City continued to press their opposition and it was no surprise when they increased their advantage moments before half-time. Lyle Lakay lined up a free-kick and, with his educated left foot, he whipped a delightful, dipping shot into the far corner.
Earlier, Chippa’s Mark Mayambela created a chance in the opening minute of the match, but Paseko Mako was unable to make the most of it. The action then meandered into a tight, tactical midfield affair, until Patsosi sparked things by blowing the game open with his spectacular goal.
Five minutes before the break, though, City were fortunate to keep their full complement of players. Mako was clean through on goal, but was hacked down by a knee-high challenge from City goalkeeper Sage Stephens. The keeper only got a yellow card, but, clearly, it could so easily have been red.
City took the foot off the pedal in the second half, seemingly happy that the job had already been done in the opening 45 minutes. They had two more opportunities to add to their tally, but Judas Moseamedi had an attempt saved by Akpeyi, and Surprise Ralani curled a shot over the bar.
Chippa, after a lacklustre first half, finally woke up and tried to make a game of it in the final 20 minutes as Mxolisi Macuphu hit the cross car with a header.
In the end, though, the Port Elizabeth team’s efforts were all a little too late, and City were able to cruise to a well-deserved victory.