10-man Sekhukhune leave Citizens in dire straits

TEN-MAN Sekhukhune United con-ditioned Cape Town City to their fourth Betway Premiership defeat of the season after they held out for a close 1-0 win at the Cape Town Stadium on Sunday.

- HERMAN GIBBS

City came into the game on an 11-match winless across all com-petitions, and with 24 points after 16 games, they remain 11th position on the log. Sekhukhune, with 37 points after their highest log position this season. The outcome also showed Sekhukhune to do the double over City.

The opening stages were marked by a lack of attacking cohesion, seemingly due to the players' caution of shortening duels and opted for prolonged possession and opted for long passes to induce a measure of shocking stability.

Early attacking sorties were thwarted close to the penalty areas. The lines were solid, timorously clearing their lines without being stretched.

Unsurprisingly, the lack of direc-tion and purpose on the field saw only one final third entry from each team in the opening 20 minutes.

Sekhukhune had to deal with an early disruption after central midfielder Vusimuzi Mncube suffered an injury, bringing a premature end to his game. Kamohelo Mokotjo replaced him.

City were awarded a free-kick in a favourable position some 25 metres from the penalty area and Jaedin Rhodes set-piece delivery into the 18-yard area was headed over the crossbar by the Frenchman Amadou Soukouna.