“We dominated our opponents and deserved to win”
CAPE Town City used the notorious Cape Doctor to good effect to beat off the challenge of visitors Bidvest Wits and claim a 2-0 victory at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
The Capetonians’ fourth victory from 19 outings takes their points tally to 20, but they remain in 12th place on the Absa Premiership log.
Wits, who surrendered a seven-game unbeaten run on the road, remain fourth on 30, 12 shy of pace-setters Kaizer Chiefs but with three games in hand over Amakhosi.
The Citizens were no match for the south-easter at their backs in the first half.
A number of their players surrendered possession way too easily which handed the advantage to the Clever Boys, who blew their goal-scoring chances, two in the opening five minutes.
The roles were reversed in the second half but City to their credit made the most of their chances to score twice through striker Kermit Erasmus and wing Craig Martin.
Erasmus stands on eight goals after being in the right place at the right time to stab the ball past Wits goalkeeper Ricardo Goss after defender Taariq Fielies’ effort had deflected into his path off the left upright.
“We showed character in a very difficult game,” said the Bafana Bafana marsksman.
“We showed determination and came out tops. It’s nice to score again after coming through a tough challenge injury-wise. The important thing is we got three points.”
Martin doubled the advantage in the closing stages after receiving a defence-splitting pass from wing Bradley Ralani.
Midfielder Thabo Nodada missed a penalty after captain Thami Mkhize was brought down.
Play was held up for several minutes after a host of Wits players surrounded referee Masixole Bambiso, a couple making contact with him.
Maybe that played a part in Nodada mucking up as his low shot that was easily saved.
But it was a commanding 45-minute display from a side that has struggled all season long.
For their Dutch coach Jan Olde Riekerink, it was a second win in eight games to go with three draws and three losses.
“We dominated our opponents and deserved to win,” he said.
“We created chances and that’s what I want to see from my players. They played well after we regrouped. We dealt with the space, we dealt with the ball and we combined well. That’s what we’re about.
“Yes, it was windy but when the ball is on the ground, it has less effect. We spoke about this before the game and did what we wanted to do.”
It was a sorry evening for Wits coach Gavin Hunt and his charges.
“We should have been out of sight in the first half, scored three or four, but never did. That’s how it goes for us,” he said.
“As for the officiating, you know me, I’m not going to say anything other than we all saw it.”
