Cape Town - Cape Town City suffered their first home defeat as they were beaten 2-1 by Baroka FC in the Absa Premiership on Saturday night.
The hosts at Cape Town Stadium were defeated by goals early
in the first half from Bakgaga’s Mzwanele Mahashe and Cleopas Dube, while CTC’s
consolation was netted by Given Mashikinya.
The Limpopo side are up to eighth on the log on seven points
from six matches, while the Citizens drop into fifth place with eight points.
The hosts started brightly, but it was Baroka who created
the best chances in what turned out to be a goalless first half, with CTC’s
Shu-Aib Walters called upon to make a couple of sharp saves, while Cleopas Dube
was guilty of missing a point-blank header.
The Citizens had their own promising moments, most notably
when Lehlohonolo Majoro had the ball in the back of the net, only to be ruled
offside, while Given Mashikinya had a good chance a few minutes before the
break but fluffed his lines.
The match exploded to life seven minutes into the second
half when Baroka claimed the lead. A well-struck free kick from Ndivhuwo
Ravhulali was saved by Walters, but the ‘keeper couldn’t hold the ball and
Mzwanele Mahashe turned it home from close range.
A minute later it was 2-0 to the Limpopo visitors, with
Richard Matloga providing great assist to allow Dube a tap-in from close range
after Baroka had sliced through City’s static defence.
Bakgaga then went to sleep at the back and allowed City to
immediately pull one back - a third goal in as many minutes – as Mashikinya
sliced home a left-footed shot after being put in on goal by a pin-point pass
from Aubrey Ngoma.
Baroka needed some brave interventions from goalkeeper Innocent Mbangeni in what remained of the game as CTC pushed hard for an equaliser, but the away side was able to hold out for the victory and three very valuable away points.