Durban City were edged out 1-0 by Mamelodi Sundowns in a Betway Premiership match at a pulsating Chatsworth Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The home side found themselves under pressure early on as Sundowns started strongly and the visiting side were ahead in the 10th minute when Tsiki Ntsabeleng cut inside off the left wing to run onto a through ball before slotting past the on-rushing Darren Keet.
Durban City looked to play their way back into the game although it was Sundowns who came close to scoring a second when Arthur Sales popped up at the backpost to get onto Aubrey Modiba’s cross, striking the upright in the process.
City managed to fashion an opportunity of their own just after the half-hour mark when Sphiwe Mahlangu made a strong run down the right and picked out Trevor Mokwena in the box. But with the ball arriving just behind him, Mokwena was unable to get the desired contact.
Just before the restart, the Citizens had a great chance to score when Jean Lwamba Lubumba broke free down the left flank and squared for Mokwena, but from a central position on the edge of the box, the striker pulled a low shot wide oF the left-hand upright.
The visiting side had the first chance of the second half and were close to netting in the 50th minute when Brayan Léon got on the end of a low cross and fired a shot against the woodwork.
The Citizens grew in confidence as the second half progressed, working hard to try and wrestle back the initiative with some purposeful closing down of the opposition.
And they were almost rewarded for their efforts in the 64th minute when Sundowns keeper Ronwen Williams failed to hold onto a teasing free kick from Saziso Magawana, the ball falling towards Brooklyn Poggenpoel, who reacted instinctively and went close with a header.
The large crowd became increasingly enthralled by the action as the match developed into a thrilling end-to-end encounter, with goalmouth action at both ends.
Certainly, the KwaZulu-Natal side were giving as good as they got against the league leaders. However, there were no further clearcut chances for coach Pitso Dlada’s men as the match ended in favour of the Tshwane club.
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