Cape Town City claim Cape derby honours as Emile Witbooi inspires win

Cape Town City beat Hope FC 2-0 in front of a sold-out Athlone Stadium to claim the bragging rights in the Cape derby.

Emile Witbooi opened the scoring after 30 minutes with a curling effort into the top corner. The teenager then turned provider three minutes later, creating the second for Cheswyn Philander to give the Citizens a commanding half-time lead.

Hope FC could not produce a response after the interval as Cape Town City continued their steady progress in the campaign.

Magesi maintain perfect start

Magesi FC remained unbeaten at the top of the Motsepe Foundation Championship after a 1-0 victory against Highbury FC in their top-of-the-table meeting at the Nelson Mandela University Stadium on Sunday.

VNaeem Amojee scored late in the first half to put the visitors in control at the break. Vusimuzi Vilakazi’s side could not find an equaliser, allowing Magesi to claim maximum points and preserve their perfect start to the season.

Real Native also continued their impressive opening to the campaign, edging Lerumo Lions 1-0 at the UJ Soweto Campus on Saturday.

The teams were level at half-time after a goalless opening 45 minutes, but Bafana Nana broke the deadlock late in the second half to secure all three points for the Believers. Real Native remain in the top three with nine points from four matches, while Lerumo Lions suffered their first defeat but stayed in the top half.

Leicesterford City recovered from a half-time deficit to beat Gomora United 4-2 at Malamulele Stadium and register their second win of the season.

Xola Mosiea put the home side ahead before the interval, but Stanley Nkoane’s team responded strongly after the break. Kavendree Makhene scored twice, while Banele Gama and Kamohelo Mahlatsi also found the net.

Former Black Leopards midfielder Tiklas Thutlwa scored Gomora United’s second, although his goal proved only a consolation as Leicesterford secured victory and remained in the top half.

Venda still searching for first win

Venda Football Club’s winless beginning to the season continued as they lost 3-2 to Upington City in a five-goal contest at Thohoyandou Stadium.

Nation Ndlovu gave the visitors an early lead after seven minutes, but Rankoko Tau soon levelled. Clayton Maravela then scored twice shortly before half-time, with Shaun Morgan’s goal keeping the hosts in contention. Upington City held on for the three points, leaving Venda without a win.

Hungry Lions recorded their first Championship victory, beating bottom side The Bees 2-0 at the Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium to move into 10th place. Lions had lost to Cape Town City last weekend, while The Bees remain without a win or a point.

Northwest University, Championship debutants, came from behind to draw 1-1 with Midlands Wanderers at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium. Vincent Myeni gave Midlands the lead before Thikho Magada equalised after the break, extending Northwest University’s wait for a first win.

Orbit College’s difficult return to the second tier continued with a goalless draw against the University of Pretoria at the Tuks Stadium. Orbit are 13th, while AmaTuks are 12th and were denied consecutive victories; both remain among the bottom-half teams yet to win.