MTN8
Result: Bidvest Wits 3-0 Cape Town City
Date: 10 September 2016
Venue: Bidvest Stadium
Bidvest Wits have one foot in the MTN8 final, after they defeated Cape Town City 3-0 in the first leg of their semi-final tie.
Both sides struggled to retain possession in the opening 15 minutes, although Wits did create a couple openings for Gabadinho Mhango, who failed to convert.
Wits eventually broke the deadlock after 22 minutes, as the ever-threatening Mhango picked out Eleazar Rodgers, who poked home from six-yards out.
It took a while for Cape Town City to get going, but they got stronger as the half went on, as Matt Sim and Lebogang Manyama started seeing more of the ball.
However, Wits doubled their advantage before the break, as Elias Pelembe did well to evade two challenges before firing a low effort past Shu-Aib Walters.
There was enough time for a third first-half goal, as Tshepo Gumede's poor header allowed Mhango to sneak in and lob the on-rushing Walters on the stroke of halftime.
Eric Tinkler opted for a double change at the start of the second half by introducing Roland Putsche and Judas Moseamedi on for and Mpho Matsi and Bhongolwethu Jayiya.
City started seeing a bit more of the ball as the second half went on, but they struggled to carve out any clear-cut openings.
With Wits comfortably leading, Gavin Hunt introduced new signing Sifiso Myeni for Pelembe after 74 minutes.
However, Wits were reduced to 10 men in the 78th minute when Moneeb Josephs was shown a straight red card for appearing to hit Putsche in the face.
Nonetheless, Hunt's charges still managed to see out the closing stages with relative ease despite being down to 10 men..
Here's how they lined up:
Bidvest Wits: Josephs, Allie, Hlanti, Hlatshwayo, Mkhwanazi, Motshwari, Pelembe (Myeni 74'), Monare (65'), Rodgers, Klate, Mhango (Keet 79').
Cape Town City: Walters, Kobola, Seedat, Rode, Gumede, Sim (Adonis 75'), Manyama, Matsi, (Putsche 45') Majoro, Jayiya (Moseamedi 45'), Ngoma.