Cape Town Spurs succumbed to yet another defeat in the DStv Premiership this week, as Chippa United recorded a 1-0 win over the Urban Warriors at Athlone Stadium on Friday night.
Despite creating the bulk of the goal scoring chances throughout the encounter, it was Ronaldo Maarman’s 40th minute strike that separated the two sides on the night.
Spurs got the game off to a bright start and looked crisp when stringing passes together. After five minutes of playing, the Urban Warriors took the game to the visiting outfit, particularly on the left-hand side of the pitch.
While Spurs created more clear-cut chances, the Chilli Boys had goal scoring opportunities of their own but failed to make the most of their attacking movements early on.
The home side looked dangerous in counter-pressing situations, which caused worrisome moments inside the Chilli Boys box. With 20 minutes on the clock, the Urban Warriors created notable scoring chances but were let down by inaccurate finishing.
Chippa United enjoyed a sustained spell of possession toward the 30th minute mark which put Spurs on the back foot. However, the host side sat tight and warded off the Chippa attacks with relative ease.
In what was Spurs’ Achilles heel throughout the first 45, the home team struggled to convert their scoring opportunities and let Chippa off the hook on numerous occasions.
Nevertheless, Chippa took the lead five minutes before the break with Ronaldo Maarman getting his name on the scoresheet against the run of play. In collecting the ball in the middle of the park, the attacker unleashed a shot from range which dumbfounded the Spurs goalkeeper at his near post.
The Chilli Boys got the second-half off on the front foot and caused problems in the Spurs’ backline as a result. By continuing the first-half momentum, Chippa looked comfortable at the restart while the Urban Warriors battled to get into the game.
Spurs were afforded a golden opportunity to level matters shortly before the hour mark when Luvyo Phewa fluffed his lines from close range, after a well put-together passing inside the Chippa 18-yard area.
In search of an equalizer, Spurs caught a second win after the hour mark and held most of the ball at the time. With wind in their sails, the Urban Warriors ventured forward with purpose but failed to breach the Chilli boys defence.