MTN8 Report: Swallows v Cape Town City 29 September 2021

Cape Town City FC will meet Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 final after thrashing Swallows FC 4-0 at Dobsonville Stadium on Wednesday evening.

MTN8

Result: Swallows FC 0-4 Cape Town City (0-4 on aggregate)

Date: 29 September 2021

Venue: Dobsonville Stadium

Swallows had the first chance when Vuyo Mere was released down the right and he delivered first-time into the box with Zaphaniah Mbokoma flicking a header just wide of the post.

Soon after, City finally created their first opportunity and it was similar to Swallows' when they released Thamsanqa Mkhize down the right and he got a low cross into the box which Fagrie Lakay put wide.

City took the lead in the 42nd minute. Terrence Mashego carried the ball forward and crossed into the area where Bradley Ralani took it on his chest and hit a left footed volley low past Virgil Vries.

Swallows so nearly equalised soon afterwards. Taariq Fielies lost an aerial challenge to Mwape Musonda and Khetukuthula Ndlovu ran onto the flick-on and volleyed narrowly past the post.

Check out the deals that did not happen during the window!

Ruzaigh Gamildien's move from Kaizer Chiefs to Swallows fell through.

Benni McCarthy's attempts to sign Argentine forward Facundo Juarez failed.

The Siya crew was told that Sundowns enquired about Ronwen Williams, but a move did not happen.

Sundowns were interested in SuperSport United's Sipho Mbule, though the transfer did not happen.

SuperSport's Teboho Mokoena was a key target for Sundowns, but a deal did not happen.

A move to Cape Town City did not happen for Sundowns' Promise Mkhuma on deadline day.

Chippa United coach Gavin Hunt was unable to sign transfer target Tashreeq Morris on deadline day.

Gaston Sirino attracted interest from Al Ahly, but remains a Sundowns player.

Chippa United showed an interest in Soumahoro Bangaly, the Siya crew was informed, but a deal did not happen.

Hlompho Kekana's proposed move to Swallows FC did not happen.

Three minutes later, the Birds hit the post. Musonda got the better of Idumba Fasika, rounded the goalkeeper and hit the upright from a narrow angle but the ball bounced luckily into the arms of City keeper Hugo Marques.

The away team took a 2-0 lead in the 58th minute. Thabo Nodada released Lakay in an inside right position and spotted Vries in no man's land before chipping a beautiful effort over his head and into the back of the net.

A moment later, City had a big chance to bury it. Ralani slid a pass to Lakay who skipped past Tebogo Langerman and just had the goalkeeper to beat but his effort flashed just wide of the post.

The Citizens would grab the third in the 68th minute when Mduduzi Mdantsane sent Nodada in behind the defence and he squared for Ralani to tap into the open net.

Swallows were putting pressure on the City defence and throwing the kitchen sink at it but Edmilson Dove well and truly put the nail in their coffin with a header in the 88th minute with his first goal of the season to cap an impressive display from Eric Tinkler's men, who have a chance to win the second MTN8 title in their five-year history.

Here's how they started:

Swallows:  30. Vries, 8. Mere, 34. Sait, 4. Sibiya, 44. Langerman, 15. Nyatama, 42. Matlou, 9. Mokoena, 11. Mbokomo, 22. Ndlovu, 26. Malinga.

Subs: 31. February, 25. Mhlongo, 47. Wambi, 5. Letlabika, 35. Makgalwa, 45. Nene, 27. Matlaba, 20. Musonda, 12. Gamildien

City: 1. Hugo, 2. Mkhize, 4. Fasika, 12. Fielies, 14. Mashego, 3. Mobara, 21. Mokeke, 13. Ajagun, 10. Mdantsane, 11. Ralani, 23. Lakay

Subs: 31. Mpandle, 26. Nodada, 8. Makola, 20. Morris, 5. Dove, 17. Mayo, 15. Cupido, 6. Mohkuoane, 30. Martin