Football
Nick Said, Special to ESPN 6y

Cape Town City close the gap to Mamelodi Sundowns

Striker Nana Akosah-Bempah scored on his first start for Cape Town City as they breathed new life into the PSL title race with a 1-0 success over leaders Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Stadium on Tuesday.

The victory ended Sundowns' run of four league wins in a row and cut their lead at the top of the table to four points, although they have played a game less than second-placed City.

It is also a third win in a row for City over Sundowns having enjoyed home and away successes last season, but came at a price as winger Aubrey Ngoma, only recently back from six months on the sidelines, limped off with a hamstring injury.

Akosah-Bempah, who was born in the United States to Ghanaian parents, had made three substitute appearances earlier in the campaign, but was handed a first start as Nigerian Victor Obinna was rested.

He netted the game's only goal after a swift break from City that saw Ngoma beat the offside trap out wide. His square ball was hit first time by the 20-year-old Akosah-Bempah.

Thokozani Sekotlong had earlier flashed a shot wide from long range, while Hlompo Kekana's free-kick from 30 yards stung the palms of City goalkeeper Sage Stephens.

City might have made it 2-0 just before the break when another sweeping move saw Roland Putsche hit a first-time volley that was too close to Sundowns' goalkeeper Dennis Onyango, who stuck out a boot and saved.

Ngoma pulled up minutes later as he chased on to a long pass and was forced off the field for what City coach Benni McCarthy will hope is not another lengthy layoff.

Thamsanqa Mkhize had a fantastic opportunity to extend City's lead when Craig Martin's run was stopped in the box, but the former curled the loose ball wide.

There was a moment of controversy midway through the second half when Sundowns twice thought they should have had a penalty in the same phase of play.

Robyn Johannes took Percy Tau's legs away from him in the box, before Taariq Fielies appeared to handle the ball while on the ground as he tried to clear.

Nothing was given by referee Christopher Harrison and City were able to restrict Sundowns to half-chances after that.

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