Cape Town Cup Report: Ajax Cape Town 2 (2)- (4) 2 Sporting Lisbon 24 July 2015
Rivaldo Coetzee vs Sporting Lisbon
Cape Town Cup Result: Ajax Cape Town 2 (2)- (4) 2 Sporting Lisbon Date: 24 July 2015 Venue: Cape Town Stadium Sporting Lisbon defeated Ajax Cape Town 4-2 on penalties to progress to the Cape Town Cup final, after it ended 2-2 after 90 minutes. The Urban Warriors got off to an impressive start, with Riyaad Norodien causing a few problems down the right flank. However, it was Sporting who broke the deadlock in the 19th minute, when Carlos Mane turned home Jefferson's low cross at the near post. The home side could have leveled matters in the 28th minute when Granwald Scott thread a fine pass for Bantu Mzwakali, but the midfelder's effort produced a fine save from Sporting goalkeeper, Rui Patricio. Islam Slimani could have doubled Sporting's lead after the 30-minute mark, but his towering header sailed just over the crossbar. Slimani was left frustrated eight minutes later, as he rose highest to meet Mane's cross, but Ajax goalkeeper, Anssi Jaakkolla, did well thwart to the Algerian with a fine save. The home side nearly drew level just before the halftime break, but Patricio was on hand to palm away Norodien's effort, following some impressive skill from the winger. Mzwakali squandered another glorious chance in the 62nd minute when he fired over the crossbar from 12-yards out with only the Sporting goalkeeper to beat. The home side were presented to level matters from the penalty spot when Sporting were adjudged to have handled in the box and Cecil Lolo stepped up to send Patricio the wrong way. De Sa's men then went ahead in the 79th minute when Franklin Cale latched onto a pass from Tariq Losper, before calmly slotting into the bottom corner. However, the visitors managed to secure an equaliser in the 84th minute, when substitute Lisandro Semedo rose highest to head home a corner from the right and send the game into penalties. And it was the Portuguese who held their nerve to triumph in the shootout, as Ajax could only convert two of their spot-kicks. Here's how they lined up: Ajax Cape Town: Jaakkola, Lolo, Coetzee, Mobara, Lebusa, Scott, Norodien, Mdabuka, Nxumalo, Mzwakali, Gamildien Sporting Lisbon: Patricio, Nascimento, Slimani, Oliveria, Eduardo, Pereira, Silva, Martins, Mane, Figueiredo, Martins
