Are the Covid-19 numbers not low enough yet for fans to return to the stadiums?
Cape Town City started their league campaign at home against SuperSport United at an empty and quiet Athlone Stadium.
It would have been great if fans were there to welcome the Citizens new guys – goalkeeper Hugo Marques, Nathan Fasika, Douglas Mapfumo, Katlego Mokhuoane and the exciting Khanyisa Mayo.
Without the 12th man in the stands, City could only manage a 0-0 draw in their first match on home turf this season.
They say the first game sets the tone for what type of City we’ll see in the league this season under coach Eric Tinkler.
The former Bafana Bafana tough midfielder started with a new spine, with Angolan goalkeeper Marques, Congolese Idumba Fasika at centreback and pushed Abbubaker Mobara into the centre to anchor the midfield alongside Mokhuoane.
The Citizens were last season’s second leakiest defence but didn’t have those issues in attack, with champions Mamelodi Sundowns the only team to score more than them.
I’m sure coach Tinkler is pleased to keep a clean sheet, as his defence proved to have enough steel to keep last season’s top scorer Bradley Grobler and his rugged strike partner Thamsanqa Gabuza at bay.
Meanwhile, Waseem Isaacs marked his return to Stellenbosch with a goal with Judas Moseamedi making an immediate impact in his second stint in the Cape after his move from Maritzburg United overnight.
The strikers’ goals were not enough to edge Orlando Pirates at the Orlando Pirates, the Mecca of SA football. It was sadly very quiet without fans, so we need to continue keeping those numbers down Mzansi!
You can only imagine the vibe when Isaacs hit Junior Mendieta’s through-ball first time in full speed for the opening goal. There would be panic amongst the fans and it has an affect on the players.
Pirates responded with a top-class freekick from Deon Hoto that put Lee Langeveldt on a poster and wallpapers.
The Buccaneers faithful would be going wild and chanting Hotto’s name and calling him by all sorts of other nicknames.
The Namibian has been at the club for a full season now, but I don’t hear him called “Stimela saseNamibia” or things of that nature.
Pirates scored again to take the lead although a man down, I think the stadium would have gone on a frenzy which can be electrifying.
I don’t even want to begin to imagine what it would’ve been like when Moseamedi found the equaliser with 35 minutes to be played.
Both Cape top-flight teams are back in action today for game two of the new league season.
Stellenbosch will host TS Galaxy at Danie Craven Stadium at 5pm, while City are set to visit the new and flamboyant Royal AM at Chatsworth Stadium.
dailyvoice@inl.co.za