The result leaves the Citizens rooted to the bottom of the playoff standings after back-to-back defeats, having also lost 1-0 to Milford FC in their opening match. With no points from two outings, City's hopes of getting back to Betway Premiership status are hanging by a thread.

For Magesi, however, it was the ideal start to their playoff campaign as they claimed a crucial three points to strengthen their bid to remain in South Africa's top flight.

Knowing they desperately needed a positive result, Cape Town City started the match on the front foot and looked dangerous in attack. Jaedin Rhodes was particularly lively down the left flank and forced Elvis Chipezeze into an early save at his near post.

The visitors continued to threaten and nearly found the breakthrough in the 26th minute when Therlo Moosa rose highest inside the box, but his header drifted narrowly wide of goal.

Magesi gradually settled into the contest and began creating opportunities of their own through Edmore Chirambadare and Mcedi Vandala, although City's defence initially managed to hold firm.

The breakthrough eventually arrived in the 33rd minute when the hosts were awarded a penalty after Lehlohonolo Mtshali went down under a challenge from Cayden Fortune inside the area. Vandala stepped up confidently and sent goalkeeper Mickey van der Hart the wrong way to give Magesi a 1-0 lead.

The hosts nearly doubled their advantage shortly after the interval. Vandala squandered a golden chance from close range, firing over the crossbar from a rebound, while Chirambadare also failed to hit the target from a promising position.

City struggled to penetrate a disciplined Magesi defence and resorted to long-range efforts. Veteran midfielder Keagan Dolly came closest with a powerful strike from outside the box, but Chipezeze produced an excellent save.

Magesi eventually sealed the victory in the 68th minute when Chirambadare finished off a well-worked move involving Sifiso Luthuli to make it 2-0.

Things went from bad to worse for City late on as Kayden Francis received a red card, reducing the visitors to ten men. The victory sees Magesi move to the top of the playoff standings on goal difference, while City remain without a point after two matches.

AmaZulu co-head coach Arthur Zwane leaps to Richard Ofori's defence