Cape Town City reignited their PSL Promotion/Relegation Play-Off campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Milford FC at the uMhlathuze Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors entered the encounter needing a positive result after suffering a defeat in their previous outing, while Milford were looking to strengthen their position after an impressive start to the play-offs.
The hosts showed their intent early on, although midfielder Cebo Mthethwa found himself in the referee’s book in the opening stages following a foul.
Cape Town City created the better opportunities in the first half and came close on several occasions. Rhodes was unfortunate not to open the scoring when his free-kick struck the woodwork.
As halftime approached, Moosa had a clear opportunity in front of goal, but his header drifted wide. Milford responded through Siphamandla Ndlabi, who found space late in the half but failed to convert before being flagged offside shortly afterwards.
Milford made their first change at the break, introducing Mkhize in place of the booked Mthethwa.
The second half began with another opportunity for Ndlabi, but the striker could not capitalise on a golden chance just two minutes after the restart. Milford continued to push forward and nearly broke the deadlock in the 58th minute, only for Chili to miss the target.
Cape Town City looked to freshen things up in the 72nd minute with a triple substitution, bringing on Zinganto, Tjiueza and Ngobeni. Milford responded two minutes later by introducing Radebe, Xulu and Joyi.
The substitutions almost paid immediate dividends for the hosts when Xulu found himself through on goal, but his curling effort drifted agonisingly wide of the post in a one-on-one situation.
With the match heading towards a tense conclusion, City finally found the breakthrough in the 84th minute. Moosa rose to the occasion and found the back of the net to hand the visitors a crucial lead.
A minute later, Cape Town City were forced into another change after Fortune picked up an injury, with Njabulo Ngcobo entering the fray.
Milford threw numbers forward in search of a late equaliser and continued fighting until the final whistle, but Cape Town City held firm to secure all three points.
The result breathes new life into City’s play-off campaign, while Milford will be left ruing several missed opportunities in a match that could have strengthened their promotion hopes.
image: Sthe Badlalele