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Cape Town - Mamelodi Sundowns' four-match winning streak in the ABSA Premiership was halted with a 1-0 defeat to Cape Town City at Loftus Versveld on Tuesday.
The hosts were in control in the opening stages and had the first chance of the match in the 19th minute when Thokozani Sekotlong struck a low shot from outside the box just wide.
The Citizens, however, were to score on the counter-attack after Aubrey Ngoma broke free down the right flank before sending in a low cross for Nana Akosah-Bempah to curl in at the far post.
Ngoma missed a good chance to double their lead five minutes later when he pulled a shot wide of the left-hand upright with the goal at his mercy before Sage Stephens kept City's lead intact with a fantastic save from Hlompho Kekana's 36th-minute free-kick.
Home keeper Denis Onyango made an even more impressive save five minutes later from a close-range shot by Roland Putsche, who really should have scored from the position he was in.
Pitso Mosimane's side were back on top of proceedings after half-time, but having failed to create any openings, they nearly conceded a second goal when Thamsanqa Mkhize fired wide with the goal gaping just after the hour mark.
The Tshwane giants were then denied what they felt was a clear penalty after it appeared Taariq Fielies' handled the ball when he was on the ground after making a tackle on Themba Zwane in the 66th minute.
More frustration followed for 'Downs as Zwane put a shot into the side-netting 20 minutes from time.
Despite having the upper hand for the closing stages of the contest, Masandawana struggled to prise open a rock-solid City defence as Benni McCarthy's men held on for what could be a pivotal win for them this season.
