Ryan Moon’s solitary strike in the third minute of the second half of the Absa Premiership clash between Kaizer Chiefs and Cape Town City saw Amakhosi leap from fifth spot into second.
Chiefs now have 34 points from 21 games, which effectively reduces the gap to leaders Mamelodi Sundowns from five points to four.
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The Brazilians lead the pack with 38 points from 20 games with a game in hand, that will be played on 21 February at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria. If Downs win that tie against a tricky and rejuvenated Free State Stars, the Yellow Machine, as Downs are often referred to, will open a seven-point gap against the Soweto Glamour Boys.
A loss or draw will keep the heat on but allow them to live to fight another day. The Yellow Machine’s next game of the premiership will be a Tshwane derby against struggling crosstown rivals, SuperSport United.
United are battling to find their rhythm following a two-year stint in the Confederation of African Football (Caf) Confederations Cup whereas their Tshwane neighbours are nearing five years of non-stop Caf Champions League participation.
There is no chance for slip-ups now and Masandawana had better keep their current form going and maintain their winning streak if they want to be crowned champions of the 2017/18 season.
Moon’s strike in the 47th minute assured the Amakhosi faithful of a possibility of bagging the premiership trophy should Downs slip up, as they are sometimes known to falter when it matters most.
Coach Benni McCarthy’s Cape Town boys were no pushovers at the FNB Stadium with the Citizens being denied the opportunity to equalise on three occasions. Their first attempt hit the cross bar, a second was cleared off the goal line by a Chiefs defender and the third was denied by the sheer brilliance of Itumeleng Khune in goals.
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Moon could have added salt to the Citizens’ wounds when he almost got a brace from a bad back pass to the visitor’s keeper from a defender. Moon latched onto the ball and unleashed a shot but the keeper was equal to the task.
The Chiefs win gives embattled coach Steve Komphela some breathing space as he gets to live to fight another day. Twitter was abuzz last week with calls for him to step down.
