Cape Town City picked up their first win of the new season after they narrowly beat SuperSport United 1-0 on a wet evening at the Athlone Stadium on Saturday, September 28.
Prins Tjiueza's 34th-minute goal proved the difference on the night as Eric Tinkler's side bounced back from a poor display against Stellenbosch three days earlier to move up to 10th place, ahead of Magesi (11th) and Matsatsantsa (12th) on goal difference.
City were looking to get their campaign up and running after a 3-0 defeat to the Maroons in midweek left them winless in the Betway Premiership. Gavin Hunt's side edged TS Galaxy 1-0 last time out to go unbeaten in their last two games following a 2-0 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns on matchday 1.
The hosts made a bright start in the pouring rain and Jaedin Rhodes lined up a shot from distance on eight minutes that was dealt with easily enough by Ricardo Goss.
Tjiueza should perhaps have done better five minutes later when he cleared the target after getting on the end of a low cross that was driven into the box.
Rhodes threatened again just before the half-hour mark with a shot from inside the 18-yard area that flew narrowly wide of the upright, but the Mother City outfit finally made the breakthrough on 34 minutes as Tjiueza latched onto a defence-splitting pass from Haashim Domingo before tucking his shot past Goss.
City continued to look the better team in the second half, but a lack of cutting edge in front of goal kept Matsatsantsa in the contest.
Lyle Lakay almost made them pay three minutes from time when he tried his luck from range and forced Darren Keet to make an outstanding save to ensure the Tshwane giants left Athlone without any points.
Cape Town City (1) 1 (Tjiueza 34')
SuperSport United 0
CAPE TOWN CITY: D. Keet, T. Mkhize, L. Gordinho, K. Cupido, T. Nyama, J. Rhodes (K. Mokotjo 75'), G. Amato (F. Makaringe 75'), A. Petrus, H. Domingo (K. Francis 46'), D. Gonzalez, P. Tjiueza.
SUPERSPORT UNITED: R. Goss, N. Mobbie, T. Hlatshwayo, P. Sanoka, N. Rapoo, M. Pule (N. Mangezi 73'), K. Ayer (L. Lakay 73'), B. Poggenpoel (G. Moralo 73'), S. Ndlovu, T. Dzvukamanja, S. Magidigidi (T. Mahlangu 66').