Nedbank Cup
Result: Bidvest Wits 0-1 Cape Town City
Date: 07 February 2018
Venue: Bidvest Stadium
Matthew Rusike scored on debut as Cape Town City defeated Bidvest Wits 1-0 to advance to the next round of the Nedbank Cup.
Rusike grabbed an early lead for City in the second minute with a fine header following a fine pass from Teko Modise, 0-1.
Vincent Pule could have found a reply in the sixth minute from a free-kick on the edge of the box but Shu-Aib Walters tipped the effort over the crossbar.
Pule had another chance to equalise in the 19th minute after being gifted space in the box, but his effort sailed over the bar.
The Clever Boys enjoyed more possession after half-an-hour with the Citizens threatening on counter-attacks.
Benni McCarthy made his first change seven minutes before the break by withdrawing Ayanda Patosi for Craig Martin.
The first stanza ended with the visitors ahead after the home side could not find a reply.
Pule should have got on the score-sheet seven minutes into the second stanza but his strike inside the area was blocked on the line by Modise with Walters well beaten.
Sifiso Myeni could not continue with the match four minutes before the hour owing to injury and was replaced by Thabang Monare.
The tempo of the match slowed down with 20 minutes left to play as City started to stay deep in their own half.
The hosts were still dominating possession with ten minutes to go but they did not a show a sense of urgency, making it easy for the Citizens, who were defending in numbers.
City were not giving Gavin Hunt’s charges a sniff at the goals in the closing minutes and managed to hold on for the victory.
Here's how they lined up:
Wits: 1. Keet, 3. Hlatshwayo, 4. Khumalo, 12. Pule, 13. Hlanti (Mncwango 65’), 14. Claasen, 15. Mkhwanazi, 21. Myeni (Monare 56'), 25. Gyimah, 28. Keene, 41. Majoro (Mhango 46').
Subs: 16. Josephs, 2. Allie, 8. Monare, 9. Rodgers, 17. Mhango, 37. Mncwango, Mosiatlhaga.
City: 1. Walters, 2. Mkhize, 27. Gumede, 3. Mngonyama, 6. Seedat, 19. Putsche, 13. Modise, 10. Patosi (Martin 38'), 7. Lakay, 24. Masina, 39. Rusike (Moseamedi 63')
Subs: 32. Stephens, 4. Kobola, 5. Edmilson, 29. Roberts, 30. Martin, 20. Moseamedi, 14. Akosah-Bempah.
