DARWIN Gonzalez for the freedom of Cape Town?
You are unlikely to get objections from many in the Mother City were you to suggest such an honour for the Venezuelan striker after his heroics in the last four days.
After scoring the winner against Kaizer Chiefs on Sunday, Gonzalez followed it up with a late strike to secure a 1-0 Premiership victory over Orlando Pirates at the Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday night.
Perhaps there might be those who would argue that the honour should rather go to coach Muhsin Ertugral for masterminding The Citizens’ resurrection.
Not that anyone at the club would be thinking of that, though, as they celebrate completing a rare double of consecutive victories over the Soweto giants, this win over Pirates coming as it did straight after a victory via a similar margin over Kaizer Chiefs at the weekend.
City’s triumph over Chiefs notwithstanding, they still went into this match as huge underdogs against the on-form Pirates.
So much so that even Ertugral spoke prior to the match that they were in for a very tough time.
And on the balance of play, this was a win against the run of play – Pirates having been completely dominant and creating the most chances.
They actually had a glorious opportunity to score first, albeit from a penalty that really should not been given as birthday boy, referee Skhumbuzo Gaza, adjudged that Patrick Maswanganyi had been fouled in the box.
Patrick Maswanganyi misses his spot kick 😲😲
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The Buccaneers’ starlet took the spot-kick and actually sent Darren Keet the wrong way.
But the ball ricocheted off the upright and bounced against the City goalkeeper’s foot, and he swiftly embraced it for what turned out to be a match-winning save.
A few minutes thereafter, City were pick-pocketing the Buccaneers just as they did Chiefs on Sunday, the hosts making use of a good break after they won possession, and Gonzalez found the net in the 74th minute.
Two goals in two games against the Soweto Giants ✅✅
Darwin González puts Cape Town City ahead 🔵🔥
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This was after Prins Tjiueza showed some tenacity in forcing his way into the danger area to set up Gonzalez.
And the South American had the fairly easy task of shooting with the goals in clear sight, and although the ball was slightly deflected, he had directed it on target.
Tjiueza should have made it 2-0 eight minutes from time after managing to get around Sipho Chaine, but he had lost some balance by the time he shot at the gaping goals and the ball moved too slowly allowing Nkosinathi Sibisi to clear it before it went into the net.
Though City took maximum points and Gonzalez was getting the plaudits, the Player of the Match award deservedly went to Keet, who pulled off good saves to keep Pirates out.
The best of those came in the first half just before the quarter-hour mark, the former Bafana goalkeeper getting his hand to a powerful shot by Kabelo Dlamini and forcing the ball onto the crossbar.
Three minutes later, he again denied Dlamini, who was allowed a free shot inside the box.
In losing this match, Pirates failed to take over the leadership of the Betway Premiership table from Mamelodi Sundowns on goal difference after 11 matches.
The Buccaneers remain in second spot, three points behind the Brazilians, while City move up to sixth spot thanks to Gonzalez’ goals. Is it enough to give him the freedom of the city? | Independent Media Sport