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Citizens targeting league double over Chilli Boys

football17 February 2025 14:44| © Backpage TXT
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Cape Town City © Backpagepix

Cape Town City interim coach Muhsin Ertugral will continue his quest for a top-eight finish in the Betway Premiership when Chippa United visit Athlone Stadium on Tuesday/.

Kick-off is at 7.30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM

The Citizens saw their MTN8 aspirations take a knock with a disappointing 2-0 defeat to relegation-threatened Magesi on 8 February - their third loss in five games.

Ertugral kicked off his tenure with impressive back-to-back 1-0 wins over Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates after replacing Eric Tinkler at the helm on 2 January.

The Turkish tactician was named Coach of the Month after also guiding City to a 2-1 victory over Richards Bay on 17 January, but he's only picked up one point out of a possible nine in February.

Ertugral's side have now gone three matches without a win in the league to sit eighth in the standings, one point above Stellenbosch (9th) and Golden Arrows (10th), having played three and two games more than those teams respectively.

The Chilli Boys are still finding their feet under Thabo September, who was handed the reins following the departure of Kwanele Kopo at the end of his contract on 31 December.

September has collected four points from his opening four matches at the helm and is looking to bounce back from a 1-0 reverse to TS Galaxy on 8 February.

Chippa are seven points clear of the danger zone in 11th position with at least one game in hand on the teams below them in the table.

WHAT WAS SAID:

Cape Town City interim coach Muhsin Ertugral

"You can see with us from a playing perspective, I could say the midfield is not performing that well. I really expect us to play. That's one of the major concerns we have so we need to have little bit more ball possession.

"We are losing too much balls after the build-up and we enter the second zone, and we are losing a lot of balls. Obviously we need to work on this, but I think the team is good for top eight.

"So, we will work on those elements and we can't expect wonders from youngsters. They did very well against the big teams in the country, but we need to get our away-game form a bit more stabilised. That's where the challenge is."

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Cape Town City - Darren Keet was at fault for Magesi's second goal after he spilt a long ball into the box which allowed Lehlohonolo Mtshali to slot home on 73 minutes.

The veteran goalkeeper will go in search of his seventh clean sheet of the season, having already kept Chippa at bay in a 1-0 win on 14 December in the reverse fixture.

Chippa United - Sinoxolo Kwayiba had perhaps the best chance to score against the Rockets when the ball rebounded back off Ira Tape from Thabo Makhele's initial header on 62 minutes, but the goalkeeper also managed to deny him from close range before the attacking midfielder hit the left post on the follow-up.

He has impressed for the Chilli Boys this season, contributing four goals and one assist in 14 league appearances.

Head-to-Head: (Last Five Betway Premiership Meetings)

Matches - 5

CT City wins - 3

Chippa wins - 0

Draws - 2

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