MTN8

Cape Town City defeated Bidvest Wits 2-1 in a MTN8 Cup semifinal second-leg clash at the Bidvest Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

As a result, the Citizens advance to the Top 8 Cup final for the first time in their history after winning the tie 3-1 on aggregate, while the Clever Boys – last year’s champions – bow out of the competition.

Bidvest Wits, who were trailing 1-0 on aggregate following the first-leg in the Mother City, dominated the match from the start as they pressed the Citizens in the early exchanges.

The pressure paid off 11 minutes into the match and it was Bidvest Wits captain Thulani Hlatshwayo, who gave the hosts the lead.

The defender scored from close range after his teammate Amr Gamal’s attempt had fell into his path and he made no mistake, 1-0.

With the semifinal tie locked at 1-1 on aggregate, the Citizens were now looking to regain their lead and did just that in the 27th minute through fortunate circumstances.

Ayanda Patosi’s effort from a free-kick headed home by Gamal, who put the ball into the back of his own net to make it 1-1 on the day and 2-1 to City on aggregate.

Wits were unfortunate not to restore their lead in the 40th minute when Gamal’s effort was cleared off the goal-line by City captain Robyn Johannes as the Egyptian aimed to redeem himself.

Nevertheless, City were able to contain Wits in the remaining minutes of the first-half with the score 1-1 at the break following an action-packed opening stanza.

Wits head coach Gavin Hunt made a double substitution at the interval, introducing the experienced duo of Daine Klate and Eleazar Rodgers.

Slavko Damjanovic had a chance to make it 2-1 to Wits from Elias Pelembe’s well-taken corner-kick in the 61st minute.But the Montenegrin central defender headed the ball wide of target, as the hosts search for their second goal of the match continued.

The Citizens looked dangerous on the counter and Ebrahim Seedat forced Wits keeper Moeeneb Josephs into a great diving save in the 70th minute.

However, Josephs was beaten a minute later when Lehlohonolo Majoro turned and fired past the former Orlando Pirates keeper – who brought up 20 years in South Africa’s top flight earlier this week – to make it 2-1 to City.

The Citizens stood firm at the back in the closing stages of the match with Rodgers missing two chances from close range, as City emerged 2-1 winners to set up a final showdown against SuperSport United.

Bidvest Wits (1) 1 (Hlatshwayo 11′)

Cape Town City (1) 2 (Gamal 27′ og, Majoro 71′)

Bidvest Wits: Josephs, Hlatshwayo, Damjanovic, Scott, Gamal (Rodgers 46′), Pelembe (Mhango 62′), Pule (Klate 46′), Hlanti, Pienaar, Kodisang, Frosler.

Cape Town City: Walters, Mkhize, Fielies, Johannes, Seedat, Nodada, Putsche (Matsi 60′), Modise (Gumede 80′), Masina (Lakay 54′), Majoro, Patosi.

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