Chippa United 0-1 Cape Town City: Erasmus on target as Seema starts Chilli Boys tenure with defeat

Cape Town City moved closer to the top eight bracket following a 1-0 win over Chippa United at Orlando Stadium on Friday afternoon. 

Kermit Erasmus' first-half goal was the difference as the Mother City-based side bagged only their eighth win of the season. 

The former Orlando Pirates marksman headed home after being left unmarked in the box following a delightful cross by Fagrie Lakay. 

City dominated possession for the better part of the game while Chippa chased the game and often had to soak up the pressure.

With this being Lehlohonolo Seema's first game in charge of the Chilli Boys, changes in their usual starting line-up were expected. 

Seema started with Mlungisi Mazibuko in goals while Thokozani Sekotlong led the attack as a lone striker. 

His counterpart, Jan Olde Riekerink, didn't make any surprising changes to the team that featured heavily before the suspension of the season in March. 

Peter Leeuwenburgh kept his place in between sticks while Erasmus, Lakay and Surprise Ralani completed the 4-3-3 formation upfront. 

After a slow start to the first-half, City created their first real chance through Lakay in the 15th minute but he would sky his out-of-box effort over the crossbar after a brilliant combination with Erasmus and Shane Roberts.  

City then took the lead two minutes later through Erasmus who was left lurking inside the box and the diminutive striker made no mistake, heading the ball past Mazibuko.

This was after Lakay had positioned himself well to collect the ball from a Chippa United throw-in before whipping a cross into the box.  

It was the 25th goal that Chippa United had conceded this season - a record Seema will have to work on improving ahead of next season provided he keeps the job beyond the current campaign.  

The game lost its spark soon afterwards with Chippa United having to deal with the pace of City's front three while trying to create goalscoring chances of their own. 

However, it was a rather disappointing half as they only registered a single shot at goal - a Ruzaigh Gamaldien attempt which went wide without even troubling Leeuwenburgh. 

City made a forced substitution at the start of the second half after Thamsanqa Mkhize, injured from the first-half, was replaced by Ebrahim Seedat.

Whatever Seema told his players at half-time really worked wonders as Chippa United took the game to City soon after the restart. 

Perhaps the introduction of  Kurt Lentjies and Augustine Kwem also sparked them to life as they played with more purpose and determination, especially in the final third of the pitch. 

Their first shot at goal after the restart came a few minutes into the second half when Gamaldien fired wide from inside City's box.  

Lakay proved too much for the home side as he used his pace to unsettle the defence. 

He was fouled in a promising position for City to double their lead but Mduduzi Mdantsane's free-kick sailed over the crossbar.

As expected, fatigue crept in midway through the second half and goalscoring chances were few and far between.  

The last 15 minutes brought back the excitement as Chippa United pushed forward in numbers while City sat back and wanted to catch them on a counter.

Tashreeq Morris had a chance to put the game to bed and double City's lead in the 75th minute after a delightful through pass from Mdantsane but he failed to beat Mazibuko.  

There was drama with 10 minutes to go as Kelvin Moyo was red-carded for a second bookable offence. This forced Chippa United to finish the match with 10 men. 

Ultimately, the Citizens held on to their lead to register a comfortable win and move up to ninth on the standings.