Cape Town City kept the bragging rights after beating Cape Town Spurs 2-0 in the final DStv Premiership game of 2023, played on Sunday afternoon at the DHL Stadium.
It was the only fixture scheduled for the 31st of December, and the league will now go on break until February after the CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
It was a bright start from Spurs, who were playing with a strong wind behind them, against a City team who had won all previous derbies between the clubs (in its current form and when Spurs were Ajax Cape Town).
Siyanda Msani, playing on the right, had an early opportunity in the fourth minute, but fired into the side netting.
Jo Paciencia had an excellent chance, or two, in the 10th minute, as the Angolan found himself in the box with the ball at his feet, but some good goalkeeping by Neil Boshoff and defensive blocks from Clayton Daniels and Lubeni Haukongo thwarted the City striker. Four minutes later Keanu Cupido fired over from range, as did Darwin Gonzalez in the 17th minute.
Chumani Butsaka, who was causing a few problems for City, tried from distance in the 23rd minute, but his effort was deflected behind. Two minutes later there was a good chance for City as Jaedin Rhodes beat his man before driving in a cross, but it flew across the face of goal, with Paciencia just missing out on making contact.
Darren Keet made a big save to deny Butsaka in the 28th minute as Spurs threatened again, with the defence having to be on their toes to also deny a follow-up attempt from Therlo Moosa. Rushwin Dortley’s header from the resulting corner went narrowly wide. Thabo Nodada’s first-time shot in the 31st minute went just wide too, while City were unlucky not to get a penalty two minutes later, as referee Michael Mosemeng missed a handball from Dortley.
But it was City who would grab the lead in the 36th minute. Daniels brought Gonzalez down just outside the area, and Relebohile Mokhuoane stepped up and fired in a great shot that left Boshoff beaten. 1-0 to City, and that is how it would remain at the halftime break.
Gonzalez had the first chance in the second half, but his attempt two minutes in went straight at Boshoff. A minute later Msani had another chance from a set piece but it flew over the goal.
Boshoff made a big save in the 52nd minute, as Rhodes found himself with just the keeper to beat but the former AmaZulu and Richards Bay goalie got down well to make the stop. Two minutes later Taahir Goedeman went wide, while Rhodes had another narrowly off target a minute later.
Ashley Cupido, fresh off the bench, went close to getting the equaliser, but his shot flashed across the face of goal and wide in the 65th minute, while he had another attempt blocked a minute later.
Gonzalez went close to doubling City’s lead in the 77th minute, but this time it was the woodwork which came to Spurs’ rescue. Back at the other end, Keet made a good diving save to stop Keagan Buchanan’s attempt from a free kick two minutes later.
City wrapped up the result in the 90th minute as Rhodes added the second, tapping in after good buildup unlocked Spurs’ defence.
