Durban City FC had to work hard for their 1-0 win over Marumo Gallants in a Betway Premiership encounter at a wet Chatsworth Stadium on Wednesday night.
Head coach Gavin Hunt watched as his side enjoyed the bulk of the goal-scoring chances, having however to wait until the 79th minute for the opening, and in the end, only goal, of the evening.
In a match packed with chances – the majority falling to the hosts, there was some goal-mouth action with barely a minute on the clock as Mfanafuthi Mkhize’s attempted clearance from a cross didn’t go where planned as the ball looped up onto his own crossbar, luckily staying out the net.
Chances were then exchanged as Saziso Magawana’s near post header from a long throw-in wasn’t too far off, while at the other end, Darren Keet pulled off a fantastic save as he clawed Siyabonga Nhlapo’s header away from goal.
Then finding some real impetus in attack, City created a succession of opportunities.
But they just couldn’t find the finishing touch in front of goal as Trevor Mokwena pulled a low angled shot wide of the far post, before Haashim Domingo’s scuffed shot-cum-cross narrowly eluded two teammates right in front of the net.
More opportunities followed for the Citizens as Siphamandla Ncanana volleyed spectacularly over the bar and then Mokwena burst free down the right in the 43rd minute, only to shoot wide of the target.
Mokwena and Letsie Koapeng then combined nicely to set up Domingo, but his shot was saved by Washington Arubi in goal for Gallants.
The Citizens continued where they left off as the game went into the second half, again coming close when Ncana just failed to get a strong enough touch onto a free-kick into the box, with the goal at his mercy.
The Durban side continued to try create openings, but when opportunities did arise, Arubi frustrated the home crowd with his saves.
Finally, with the rain teeming down, City got the goal their efforts deserved, 11 minutes before the end of regulation time.
It was a beautifully-crafted goal as Samkelo Maseko beat his man with a couple of step-overs before picking out Domingo in the centre. Domingo’s first touch was sublime as he set himself up perfectly before sending a measured curling shot into the back of the net from 16-yards out.
There were a couple of nervy moments late on as Gallants pushed for an equaliser, but Keet and his defenders held firm.
At the other end, Maseko missed a great chance to add a second when he popped up at the back-post in added time to get on the end of a cross, but steered his header the wrong side of the post.
Moments later though the full-time whistle sounded; the Citizens happy to be back to winning ways after being edged out by Kaizer Chiefs last weekend.
