Craig Martin scored his first-ever goal for Cape Town City who were held to a 1-1 draw against log-leaders, Baroka in an Absa Premiership encounter at the Cape Town Stadium on Tuesday evening, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.
Benni McCarthy’s charges went into the gane on the back of a 1-0 victory against Free State Stars, while Bakgaga played to a 1-1 draw with AmaZulu in their last match before the international break.
Aubrey Ngoma settled for a place on the bench after having recovered from his long-term injury.
The game started off slow with both sides intent on siffing out one another’s weaknesses in the opening exchanges. Sipho Moeti had the first effort at goal for Baroka from long-range in the tenth minute but his effort failed to trouble Sage Stephens.
Teko Modise showed his class when he did well to pick out Letsie Koapeng with a fine pass, but the striker failed to direct his effort goalbound.
Neither team tested each other’s goalkeepers with the first-half marred by cynical fouls and shots from range.
The visitors wasted two glorious opportunities in qucick succession when Robin Ngalande headed over from close range while Siphelele Ntshangase saw his deflected effort go wide of the mark.
The visitors opened the scoring in the 54th minute courtesy of a strike by Robin Ngalande. City immediately responded by introducing Ayanda Patosi for Teko Modise in a bid to equalise matters.
McCarthy’s side threw everything forward in the remaining minutes of the encounter and were duly rewarded in the 69th minute when Craig Martin levelled matters after getting onto the end of Lyle Laakay’s cross.
Baroka introduced Gift Motupa for Talent Chawapihwa in the 70th minute, while City signalled their attacking intent by bringing on Sibusiso Masina for Lakay.
Martin’s goal lifted City’s spirits as momentum swung in their favour, however they were unable to capitalise and were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw.
City XI: 32. Stephens, 2. Mkhize, 12. Fielies, 16. Johannes, 6. Seedat, 19. Putsche, 13. Modise, 23. Matsi, 30. Martin, 7. Lakay, 9. Koapeng.
Baroka XI: 16. Vries, 6. Shaku, 31. Masenamela, 7. Chawaphiwa, 24. Banda, 21. Moeti, 2. Kgoetyane, 10. Ntshangase, 4. Madubanya, 8. Mdantsane, 17. Ngalande.
Photo: Chris Ricco/Backpagepix
