Kermit Erasmus scored the only goal of the game as Cape Town City beat Chippa United 1-0 at the Orlando Stadium as both teams returned to league action after the lockdown break.

The decisive strike of the game came in the 17th minute when Erasmus headed in a cross from Fagrie Lakay.

The game, as expected, started slowly as both teams had to get up to speed and also feel the conditions as the game was played behind closed doors.

The first shot in anger came in the 15th minute when Lakay struck an effort over the bar.

It was not long after though that the Citizens took the lead as Chippa carelessly conceded possession deep in their own half.

Lakay found himself in space down the right-hand side and delivered an inch-perfect cross for Erasmus to head past a sprawling Mlungisi Mazibuko in the Chippa goal.

Lakay was certainly the most dangerous player on the pitch and on the half-hour mark again tested Mazibuko from a tight angle but the keeper did well to keep out a low shot.

The Chilli Boys, while decent possession, never gave City keeper Peter Leeuwenburgh much to do in the first half.

The PE-based team came out with more purpose after the half-time interval but found it difficult to break down a solid City defence.

The best chance in the second stanza came for the Cape team when substitute Tashreeq Morris found himself one-one-one with Mazibuko after a quick counter-attack but the shot-stopper saved smartly with his legs.

The task to get back on level terms was made even harder for Chippa when defender Kelvin Moyo was given a red card for two bookable offences with nine minutes remaining.

To their credit, Chippa created some openings even though they were a man down but could find the equaliser as Cape Town City hung on for maximum points.

The victory moves the Citizens up to ninth on the table while the Chilli Boys remain in 12th place.

- TEAMtalk media