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Cape Town - Lebogang Manyama bagged a brace as Cape Town City recorded a 2-1 victory over CAF Champions League winners Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday.
Eric Tinkler's men went into the half-time break with the lead after Manyama had broken the deadlock in the 21st minute.
Sundowns managed to level matters after the half-time break, with Thabo Nthethe netting the all-important goal. However, it was City skipper Manyama who had the last say, popping up with the winner eight minutes from the full-time whistle.
The first half was a fairly closely contested affair, with both sides struggling to create more than a handful of goal-scoring chances.
The first chance of note arrived after just six minutes of play, Sundowns' Wayne Arendse heading over the bar after rising well to meet Percy Tau's inviting cross.
City hit back with a chance of their own just one minute later, but Tiyani Mabunda saw his goal attempt fly wide of the right-hand upright.
And, following a brief lull in play, the match sprang to life in the 21st minute. Manyama made amends for his earlier miss as he latched onto a neat pass from Aubrey Ngoma before slotting the ball in the back of the net with a right-footed finish.
Downs had a glorious opportunity to draw level just five minutes later, but it was not to be as Khama Billiat failed to hit the target.
There was one last chance before the half-time break, this time for the visitors, although Manyama again fired wide of the mark.
Having failed to make their mark on proceedings in the first half, Downs redoubled their efforts in the second stanza and came flying out of the traps.
City keeper Shu-Aib Walters was twice called into action to deny Percy Tau in the opening five minutes of play, but there was little he could do to keep the hosts at bay in the 56th minute. Billiat sent in an inviting cross from a direct free-kick and Nthethe was perfectly placed to head the ball into the back of the net.
They had a glorious chance to go ahead in the 64th minute, but Walters was alert to the danger as he comfortably snapped up Thapelo Morena's goal-bound effort.
But in a bid to claim the lead, Sundowns left themselves somewhat exposed at the back, and the visitors took full advantage in the 82nd minute as Manyama fired home his second of the game, Aubrey Ngoma providing the assist.
Sundowns had one last chance to add to their earlier goal just two minutes later, but they were again denied by the impressive Walters, who did well to block a Themba Zwane shot with his feet.
