Cape Town City score upset 2-1 win over Mamelodi Sundowns

Sundowns may be PSL and African champions, but they were showed scant respect by an impressive City side.

The Cape team opened the score in the 22nd minute when the outstanding Lebogang Manyama scored. In the build-up, there was some good work from Ebrahim Seedat and Aubrey Ngoma – and, when the ball was crossed into the box, Manyama was at hand to give the Capetonians a 1-0 lead.

Sundowns gradually got back into it and City goalkeeper Shu-aib Walters had to make two fine saves to deny free-kicks from Khama Billiat and Hlompho Kekana, while Sibusiso Vilkazi’s first touch let him down when in an inviting scoring position.

City should then have increased their advantage, but Manyama scorched an effort against the upright and Ngoma missed an easy chance.

The Pretoria team, though, drew level in the 58th minute when Billiat whipped in a free-kick and central defender Thabo Nthethe headed in to make the score 1-1.

But this City team wasn’t about to let the setback deter them. They continued to create chances, especially when capitalising on Sundowns’ errors, and it was Manyama who rose to the occasion when he drilled in the winning goal in the 83rd minute.

Manyama was the deserved man of the match for a fantastic all-around performance.

“You have to respect Sundowns, they are the number one team in Africa,” said Manyama afterwards. “We knew they were going to have the ball and we would have to keep it tight, and catch them on the counter. We have to thank the coach, he believed is us, and his game plan worked out well.

“We never stopped believing and, in the end, we should have got two or three more goals. Well done to the lads, we all worked very hard for this win.”