MTN8: AmaZulu 1-2 Cape Town City – Citizens through to semis
The Citizens needed a late goal to beat Usuthu and reach the last four of the knockout competition at Moses Mabhida Stadium
Cape Town City defeated AmaZulu 2-1 in their MTN8 quarter-final match at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday.
It was the Citizens who took the lead in the eithth minute courtesy of Terrence Mashego before Usuthu drew level in the 54th minute via Lehlohonolo Majoro. With the game seemingly heading to penalties, Mduduzi Mdantsane slotted home the winner in the 89th minute.
Cape Town went into the game missing four key players – Fagrie Lakay and Darren Keet through injury, Abdul Ajagun (illness), and Nathan Fasika, who is yet to get his work permit.
However coach Eric Tinkler did not look bothered with the absence of the players as he started a strong side with Taariq Fielies and Abbubaker Mobara in central defence, Khanyisa Mayo leading the attack and Thamsanqa Mkhize captaining the side.
It was the Cape Town-based side who started the game on a high note and in the fifth minute Thato Mokeke made a good run through the AmaZulu defence, and then set up Terrence Mashego, but the latter’s effort towards goal was weak and did not trouble goalkeeper Veli Mothwa.
However, three minutes later, Mashego made amends as he put City ahead after he found his way inside the Usuthu dangerzone and launched a left-footed effort that sneaked past Mothwa.
FULLTIME | #MTN8
It’s Cape Town City that moves on to the MTN8 semi-finals.#HebeUsuthu#UsuthuTogether pic.twitter.com/BgRTLSAOdq
— AmaZulu FC (@AmaZuluFootball) August 15, 2021
In the 14th minute, defender Craig Martin was fouled outside the 18-yard box and a well-curled effort from Bradley Ralani went narrowly over the bar.
In the 24th minute, City displayed some good interplay between Khanyisa Mayo, Mduduzi Mdantsane, and Ralani, but the final effort was not well executed, allowing AmaZulu keeper Mothwa to come out and take the ball.
On the stroke of half-time, AmaZulu threatened to go level as Siyethemba Sithebe latched into a clever pass from Amigo Memela but he blasted wide with only keeper Hugo Marques to beat, the miss allowing City to go into the half-time break with a 1-0 lead.
After the resumption, City continued to attack for another goal and Terrance Moshego failed to put the ball into the net after being set up by Mduduzi Mdantsane.
The miss by Mdantsane proved costly as AmaZulu pulled a goal back when Lehlohonolo Majoro finished off a cross from Augustine Mulenga in the 58th minute.
Victory in Durban! 🔥🔥🔥#iamCityFC pic.twitter.com/aIJCWfxc79
— Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) August 15, 2021
Immediately after the goal, City could have regained their lead but Tashreeq Morris, who had come on to replace Craig Martin, failed to make a quick decision after finding himself with enough space to score and the ball was taken away by Makhehlene Makhaula.
In the 71st minute, AmaZulu coach Benni McCarthy decided to hand Kgotso Moleko his debut after coming on for Mulenga and Tshepang Moremi replacing Keagan Buchanan, while City rested Thabo Nodada for Mpho Makola and Keanu Cupido for Bradley Ralani.
In the 85th minute, City’s Marques pulled off a great save to deny Moleko as Usuthu continued to search for the winner, but it was the Citizens who had the last laugh as Mdantsane curled into the bottom of the corner for the winner and a seal semi-final spot.
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