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Cape Town City granted Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane his wish for a favourable result last night.
However, City coach Benni McCarthy could still turn around and hurt the defending champions when City host Sundowns in Cape Town on Tuesday night, just a few days after their 3-2 loss to the Brazilians propelled Mosimane’s side to the top of the Absa Premiership standings.
In one of the most remarkable comebacks in local football, City bounced back from a two-goal deficit at Milpark to end their four-day stay in Gauteng with a banger that prevented Wits from reclaiming the top spot.
Sundowns were held to a goalless draw by Bloemfontein Celtic in the early kick-off at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
Instead, the defeat for the Clever Boys, in addition to Orlando Pirates’ 1-0 victory against Golden Arrows, saw Wits swap spots with the Bucs on the table.
While McCarthy continued his dominance over Wits, he also remains in the mix in the race for the championship as a win on Tuesday could push City to one point adrift of Sundowns at the summit, while Pirates also stand a chance to get to the top if they beat Celtic in Soweto on the same night.
Given the drama and the twist in the race for the championship, no one would be as devastated as Gavin Hunt.
His side went into the half-time break with a comfortable confusion courtesy of Thulani Hlatshwayo and Gift Motupa goals.
But it was McCarthy who had the last laugh as striker Kermit Erasmus led the comeback for the visitors shortly after the break. Surprise Ralani levelled the score before Riyaad Norodien netted the winner from a free kick.
The build-up to City’s first goal saw referee Eugene Mdluli miss a hand ball by Erasmus from the striker’s initial contact with the ball.
Mdluli’s decision to award Wits a penalty was also questionable as it looked like the foul on Lehlohonolo Majoro happened outside the box.
Motupa converted from the resultant spot kick.
City launched their first attempt at goal through Erasmus, who, in a rare start after mostly being utilised as a late substitute, curled his effort narrowly wide in the opening minutes.
The hosts heaved a huge sigh of relief when Norodien missed the target on the quarter-hour mark.
However, just a few minutes after the break, Erasmus pulled one back and the rout was complete. Wits were rattled despite a late surge when Motupa came close in the closing minutes.
Meanwhile, Sundowns were left to rue a glut of many missed chances against Celtic.
Despite just hanging in for a top-eight finish, Phunya Sele Sele arrived in Pretoria with the intention of frustrating their illustrious opponents and, oh boy, they perfected that.
Celtic defended in a block and their approach gave the defending champions little space to execute their normal passing game to a point that, even when talismans Lebohang Maboe and Gastón Sirino sneaked into small pockets of spaces, their attempts were in vain.
The game was almost spoilt by an injury to Celtic defender Wandisile Letlabika, who suffered a concussion when he banged his head against the upright on the stroke of half-time. Play was halted for just more than 10 minutes as the big centre-back was stabilised by the medical staff on the pitch.
Celtic confirmed last night that the 29-year-old had recovered and would be booked off for a few days to recuperate fully.
