Cape Town City booked their spot in the MTn8 semi-finals with a late 1-0 win over Sekhukhune United on Saturday afternoon.
MTN8
Result: Sekhukhune United 0-1 Cape Town City
Date: 10 August 2024
Venue: New Peter Mokaba Stadium
Sekhukhune had new signing, Thabang Monare formerly with Orlando Pirates in the line-up, alongside fellow newcomer Keletso Makgalwa, who joined Vusimuzi Mncube, Chibuike Ohizu and Linda Mntambo in attack.
City, meanwhile, also handed debuts to Kamohelo Mokotjo, Hashim Domingo and former Orlando Pirates midfielder Fortune Makaringe, all in their engine room.
Babina Noko were without new head coach Peter Hyballa, due to a work permit issue, according to assistant coach MacDonald Makhubedu, who gave instructions on the bench.
The Citizens started brightly, as within the first two minutes, Makaringe had a shot in the box from a rebound that was smothered by shot-stopper Badra Ali Sangare.
However, Eric Tinkler's charges retreated more into their own half as the game went on and nearly went behind on 24 minutes after Makgalwa flashed a diagonal shot just wide of the far post.
City came out of their defensive shell towards the end of the first stanza and should have went to the half-time break at least with a narrow lead after Darwin Gonzalez could not convert a penalty, that came off the crossbar, after a foul in the box by United.
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Sekhukhune were subdued coming from the break, as they struggled to launch attacks and around the hour-mark, Babina Noko made an attacking change, as debutant Shaun Mogaila replaced Makgalwa.
However, it was the Mother City outfit that continued to have momentum as Gonzalez almost redeemed himself with a looping shot that scraped the crossbar.
The game was on the edge in the closing stages and with seven minutes to go, Mntambo came close to breaking the deadlock for United with a glancing header that looped over goalkeeper Darren Keet but missed the gaping net just wide.
City were awarded another penalty in the dying minutes after a handball by Siphesihle Mkhize.
Gonzalez stepped up again and this time sent Sangare the wrong way, as his goal booked the Citizens a spot in the semi-finals.
Eric Tinkler's men joined Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch in the last four.
Here's how they lined up:
Sekhukhune United: Sangare, Tshibwabwa, Langa, Cardoso, Mkhabela, Mkhize, Monare, Mntambo, Makgalwa, Mncube, Ohizu.
Subs: Kazapua, Mahlangu, Carnell, Ngcobo, Mohamme, Mtshali, Mokhuoane, Seseane, Mogaila.
Cape Town City: Keet, Mkhize, Cupido, Gordinho, Sereetsi, Darwin, Mokotjo, Petrus, Dominho, Makaringe, Ah Shene
Subs: Olario, Fisher, Tjiueza, Francis, Nyama, Amato, April, Slatsha, Goedeman
