Cape Town City 2022-23 Season Review - Poor start, strong finish and red cards galore

Prior to this season, City were expected to finish anywhere between second and fifth positions. Having finished second in the 2021-22 season to qualify for the CAF Champions League, they took four fewer points this term and finished fourth. 

They reached their objectives and had a strong season in the end. After going LLLDD in their first five league matches, the pressure was really on. However, from round 6 to round 30, they recovered well to take 43 points from 25 matches. 

Considering he finished joint-top of the PSL scoring charts, this award has to go to forward Khanyisa Mayo. He scored eight goals in the final nine league matches and 12 overall in the DSTV Premiership.

Many other players had strong seasons. Taariq Fielies was consistently good at the back and Keanu Cupido also excelled at times defensively. In midfield, Brice Ambina enjoyed runs of good form. The final mention is for versatile wide man Darwin Gonzalez. He played well on both flanks, as a winger and as a wingback at times.

Arguably their best performances were both against Kaizer Chiefs. In round 6, they were desperate for points and played an excellent game in a 2-0 victory with 1.90 xG created. 

In round 30, they won 1-0 at Kaizer Chiefs with ten men. They defended comfortably and deserved the victory. The match with the biggest xG difference was a 2-1 home win against Chippa United. City had 25 shots and put up 2.90 xG in that victory. 

City’s new signings didn’t have a particularly big impact. Lyle Lakay, Marc Van Heerden and Lorenzo Gordinho were all steady additions at the back but none were upgrades on their predecessors. 

Attacking players like Wayde Lekay, Jordan Bender and Bertrand Mani all struggled to make a significant impact. Long-term, Juan Camilo Zapata could prove the best addition but he is still settling into the league. 

City’s poor start to the season with two points from five matches can’t be repeated. They dropped 19 points from winning positions with their home draws against AmaZulu and Marumo Gallants particularly galling. 

City had the PSL’s most red cards with six dismissals as four of those came in the final six fixtures. They will need to improve their discipline. As always, the club is looking for a more reliable specialist number nine to take the burden of wide forward Khanyisa Mayo.

City will see the loan deal for left back Lyle Lakay come to an end. They have already signed a replacement in Tshegofatso Nyama from TS Galaxy. 

A few fringe players could be offloaded and the club may look to sign an extra centre back and a new forward. The big question is whether they can hold onto Khanyisa Mayo after his Golden Boot exploits. 

By the end, it was another fine season for City. They started poorly but kept faith in coach Eric Tinkler and he led them to a solid fourth place finish. Next season, they will hope to challenge for a top two place and ideally will want to lift one of the two domestic trophies. 

Considering so many younger players were blooded this term, plus the long-term injury to centre back Nathan Fasika, it was an impressive campaign yet again.