Matsatsantsa’s defeat down in the Mother City was a big blow to what were already fairly slim hopes of mounting a serious title challenge this season
In Saturday’s two PSL league clashes, Cape Town City ended an eight-match winless streak with an emphatic 3-0 win over SuperSport United at the Cape Town Stadium while TTM got the better of TS Galaxy in a 2-0 victory.
In Johannesburg, Tokelo Rantie marked his first start in the PSL since the 2011/ 12 season (his previous three appearances for TTM this season have come off the substitutes bench) with an assist in his side’s 2-0 win over TS Galaxy at the Emirates Airline Park (formerly Ellis Park).
The former Bafana Bafana marksman was involved in the opening goal, which came in the 42nd minute, as he got clear down the left wing before squaring the ball to Brandon Theron, who did well to evade a couple of defenders before scoring against his former Milano United teammate Westen van der Linde in goal for the Rockets.
With the result still in doubt, the visitors made sure of the win in the 81st minute when Thabo Rakhale combined cleverly with Miguel Timm and Thabo Mnyamane before firing the ball home.
The hosts did however have chances to get back in the game, but it wasn’t to be their evening as Wayde Lakay had a goal ruled out for off-side – which replays suggested should have been given, and then also had a 91st-minute penalty saved by TTM keeper Washington Arubi, after Nico Lukhubeni had tangled with Luckyboy Mokoena.
The win takes Tshakhuma out of the relegation zone – above Chippa United and up to 14th spot.
In the earlier afternoon game, Cape Town City finally ended an eight-game winless league run, at the expense of SuperSport United.
Fagrie Lakay gave the Citizens a 35th-minute lead, beating his former SuperSport teammate Ronwen Williams from the penalty spot.
The second goal came 20 minutes into the second half as former Orlando Pirates midfielder Mpho Makola scored, with Thabo Nodada providing the assist.
Citizens striker Tashrique Morris compounded SuperSport’s woes when he scored in the 85th minute. The defeat leaves Matsatsantsa on 35 points - eight points adrift of log-leaders Mamelodi Sundowns while having played three more games than their Tshwane rivals. City are in seventh spot, with 30 points.