Cape Town City and SuperSport United lost more ground in the DStv Premiership title race after they played out to a 1-1 draw at the Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday.
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After seeing Mamelodi Sundowns beat AmaZulu 3-0 24 hours earlier to go 12 points clear at the top of the table, the stalemate in the Mother City did neither of them any good as they remained deadlocked on 31 points.
Lyle Lakay's stoppage-time equalizer earns SuperSport United a share of the spoils against Cape Town City 🤝#DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/cB5TQN9OUI
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 28, 2024
Both teams picked up a point on their return to domestic action earlier this month, with City (2nd) being held to a 1-1 draw by Chippa United, while Matsatsantsa (3rd) also drew 1-1 against Stellenbosch.
It was a special day for two players, one of each side, as Khanya Leshabela made his first start for the hosts and Thabang Mahlangu was handed his debut for Gavin Hunt's side.
The Citizens almost got off to a flying start when they carved out an opening just three minutes in, but Ricardo Goss pulled off a smart save and the goalkeeper was called into action again on 20 minutes to prevent the Pretoria giants from going behind.
Shandre Campbell, who scored a fine goal in the Nedbank Cup tie between the two clubs last week, threatened to break the deadlock on 32 minutes with a strike that was turned behind for a corner by Darren Keet.
It remained goalless at the break, although Eric Tinkler's side made the breakthrough just four minutes after the restart when Khanyisa Mayo latched onto a pass from Taahir Goedeman and lifted the ball over the advancing Goss to register his ninth goal of the season.
𝑮𝒐𝒂𝒍 𝑨𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒕 ⚽
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 28, 2024
Khanyisa Mayo opens the scoring for the Citizens 💪
📱 Stream #DStvPrem live: https://t.co/TesYUfo62x pic.twitter.com/1UB1CqUGFC
The visitors pushed for an equaliser as the second half progressed and Marc van Heerden came to City's rescue in the 75th minute with a goal-saving block to preserve their lead.
SuperSport threw numerous aerial balls into the box in the closing stages, but Keet was solid as a rock in dealing with the threats.
However, their efforts were finally rewarded in the sixth minute of stoppage time when Lyle Lakay beat Keet with an excellent free kick to snatch a dramatic share of the spoils.
City's next league assignment sees them host local rivals Stellenbosch at the Cape Town Stadium on 5 March, while Matsatsantsa welcome Polokwane City to the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on 6 March.
Cape Town City (0) 1 (Mayo 49')
SuperSport United (0) 1 (Lakay 90+6')
Cape Town City: D. Keet, K. Cupido, L. Gordinho, M. van Heerden, H. Sereetsi, T. Leshabela (T. Kutumela 62'), L. Slatsha (T. Goedeman 41'), J. Rhodes (R. Tshimanga 78'), T. Nodada (T. Mkhize 78'), L. Daniels (L. Sifumba 63'), K. Mayo.
SuperSport United: R. Goss, K. Johannes (E. Ighodaro 58'), S. Xulu, I. Okon, O. Bhasera, G. Margeman, G. Moralo (T. Mahlangu 84'), S. Ndlovu, S. Campbell (L. Lakay 58'), G. Lungu (T. Matodzi 84'), B. Grobler (P. Nange 83').