Cape Town Spurs ended their five-match losing streak in the DStv Premiership this week, following their 1-1 stalemate with AmaZulu at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday evening.
In what was one of Spurs most promising games of the season, Luke Baartman’s goal at the end of the first-half gave the Cape side a great sense of hope with 45 minutes left to play. However, Celimpilo Ngema had other plans and spoiled the party with a 79th minute equaliser.
AmaZulu held most of the ball during the first 10 minutes of the game while Spurs looked to hit the home team on the break. Despite their dominance in possession, Usuthu did little to worry the Urban Warriors backline.
Spurs attacked in sporadic moments with the likes of Chumani Butsaka and Luke Baartman showcasing their willingness to run at the AmaZulu defence.
The home side threatened to take the lead on two occasions after the 20th minute mark, which summoned Neil Boschoff to make crucial saves in the process. Immediately at the other end of the pitch, Butsaka found himself in an inviting position on the edge of the AmaZulu area and unleashed a powerful shot that called goalkeeper Olwethu Mzimela into action.
AmaZulu continued to boss the possession count as the half progressed but were met by aggressive defending by the Mother City outfit. The counter-attack remained Spurs’ bread and butter throughout the first 45 but often fell short at the final hurdle.
Spurs then took the lead on the stroke of halftime as Baartman opened the scoring at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. After being awarded a corner, Baartman found himself in an inviting position and buried Siyanda Msani’s cross with a powerful header inside the area.
The Urban Warriors looked lively during the opening stages of the second-half with smart interplay on the edge of the AmaZulu area. Baartman once again proved to be the attacker-in-chief for his side and struck the upright early on.
Spurs began dominating the game as the hour mark approached, while AmaZulu looked shaky in defensive settings. The home side often found themselves penned back in their own half as a result of Spurs’ attacking thrusts.
AmaZulu level matters in the 79th minute as second-half substitute Celimpilo Ngema got his name on the scoresheet. After precise build-up play on the right-hand flank, Mondli Mbenjwa found Ngema with a squared pass into the area before rifling the ball into the back of the net.
With wind in their sails, AmaZulu pushed on for a winner and created a couple of goalscoring chances toward the end of the encounter. However, Spurs did enough to keep the hosts at bay as the game ended in a 1-1 scoreline at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
AmaZulu: (0) 1 (Ngema 79’)
Cape Town Spurs: (1) 1 (Baartman 47’)
AMAZULU: Mzimela, Mobara, Mphahlele, Fielies, Jooste (Mbanjwa 74’), Moremi (Human 46’), Motshwari, Brooks (Ngema 46’), Hanamub, Ekstein (Ndlovu 87’), Junior Dion (Kwem 46’)
CAPE TOWN SPURS: Boschoff, Msani, Dortley, Daniels, Allie, Morton, Bern, Lukhubeni, Butsaka (Thethani 84’), Moosa (Phewa 65’), Baartman (Cupido 74’)