Citizens clip Dube Birds' wings

Cape Town City finally picked up their first win of 2024 after beating Moroka Swallows 2-0 at the Athlone Stadium on Wednesday.

Eric Tinkler's side climbed above SuperSport United into sixth place on goal difference, leaving the Dube Birds six points clear of the relegation zone in 13th position.

City came into the clash on the back of a 2-0 defeat to Orlando Pirates which extended their winless streak to 10 matches, while Swallows were looking to build on a 2-1 victory over Chippa United, having failed to win their last four games.

The visitors were presented with a golden opportunity to open the scoring on 13 minutes when Jacob Everson was fouled inside the box as he went to contest the ball from a corner.

But Gabadinho Mhango failed to convert the resulting penalty to give the Citizens a lifeline and they threatened to break the deadlock on the half-hour mark as Darwin Gonzalez steered a header straight at Daniel Akpeyi.

Khanyisa Mayo should perhaps have done better when he cleared the crossbar with a header in the 42nd minute and the score remained unchanged at the break.

Mayo went even closer on 63 minutes as he headed the ball inches wide of the goal, but the hosts finally made the breakthrough 10 minutes later when Gonzalez slotted home on the rebound after Jaedin Rhodes's initial shot had been saved by Akpeyi.

City wrapped up the points two minutes from time as two of their substitutes combined, with Jo Paciencia heading home a fine cross from Relebogile Mokhuoane to register his second goal of the season.

Right place, right time. Dankie Papi! 🇻🇪🔥 pic.twitter.com/bbHVh3Jh4F

— Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) May 7, 2024

Cape Town City (0) 1 (Gonzalez 73', Paciencia 88')

Moroka Swallows (0) 0

Cape Town City: D. Keet, K. Cupido, L. Gordinho, M. van Heerden (P. Fisher 85'), T. Mkhize, A. Petrus, T. Goedeman (R. Mokhuoane 79'), D. Gonzalez, J. Ah Shene (J. Rhodes 54'), T. Kutumela, K. Mayo (J. Paciencia 80').

Moroka Swallows: D. Akpeyi, T. Maponya (G. Damons 70'), K. Mngonyama, N. Nyauza (S. Sibiya 22'), N. Ngqonga, R. Sanou, L. Phalane, J. Everson (F. Tshanini 89'), A. Mahlonoko (L. Mbanjwa 46'), S. Khumalo, G. Mhango.