CAPE TOWN CITY EASE INTO NEDBANK QUARTERFINALS
Cape Town City thrashed Highlands Park 3-0 in the Nedbank Cup Last 16 match at the Cape Town Stadium on Friday night.
As a result, the Citizens joined Cape Umoya United in the quarterfinals, while the Lions of the North crashed out of the tournament.
The Citizens suffered a blow a few minutes into the match as Ronald Putsche went down injured and he was replaced by Teko Modise.
Modise and Thabo Nodada dominated the midfield battle as the home side searched for the opening goal.
Nodada tried his luck from range in the 26th minute and the midfield maestro’s effort flew over Highlands goalkeeper Marlon Heugh’s goal-posts.
Benni McCarthy’s charges pressed the Lions of the North, but they could only shoot from range as the visitors’ defence looked solid.
Heugh was called into action just before the halftime break and he made comfortable save from Modise’s shot.
Highlands then stood firm at the back and the score was 0-0 at halftime.
The Lions made a change at the beginning of the second half with Thabo Motlafi replacing Denzil Haoseb.
However, the Citizens continued their dominance and they scored through Thamsanqa Mkhize to make it 1-0 to City after some good work by Kermit Erasmus in the 60th minute.
The momentum was with the hosts and they managed to double their lead in the 70th minute when Craig Martin scored with a powerful shot to make it 2-0 to City.
It was soon 3-0 to City when Heugh failed to control Highlands defender Lucky Mokoena’s back pass with the latter scoring an own goal with 18 minutes left on the clock.
The Lions of the North launched late attacks as they looked to grab at least three late goals and Suhayl Allie’s free-kick was easily saved by City keeper Peter Leeuwenburgh.
Ultimately, City ran out 3-0 winners over Highlands following a great second-half performance by the hosts.
City (0) 3 (Mkhize 60′, Martin 70, Mokoena 72′)
Highlands (0)
City: Leeuwenburgh, Mngonyama (Fielies 77′), Cupido, Mkhize, Seedat, Putsche (Modise 16′), Mokeke, Martin, Ralani, Erasmus, Nodada (Mthembu 66′).
Highlands: Heugh, Rae, Msimango (Allie 79′), Mokoena, Mofokeng, Motsepe, Haoseb (Motlafi 46′), Mahlangu, Mogaila, Mbatha (Nyembe 68′), Shalulile.
