Cape Town City 0-2 Polokwane City: Rise and Shine dump the defending champions out of MTN8

Cape Town City 0-2 Polokwane City: Rise and Shine dump the defending champions out of MTN8

The MTN8 took centre stage on Saturday when the defending champions, Cape Town City welcomed Polokwane City in the first quarter-final match of the 2019/20 season.

Although the encounter was initially earmarked for the iconic Cape Town Stadium, the match was moved to Newlands Stadium. 

Coach Benni McCarthy led his side on their quest to retain the trophy whilst Zlatko Krmpotic was looking to collect his first trophy in the South African top-flight.

It was a bright start for the Mother City outfit as they kept the ball in the opposite half and goalkeeper George Chigova was called to produce a save as early as the fourth minute.

City continued to dominate the proceedings and Craig Martin penetrated the visitor’s defence with a dangerous run down the wing and found Thato Mokeke whose shot from a distance was punched away by Chigova for a corner in the 20th minute.

However, Mohammed Anas managed to break the deadlock six minutes later, the Ghanaian forward was unmarked in the box and curled his effort into Peter Leuwenburgh’s bottom corner.

Despite the host’s push for an equalizer, time was not on their side as they went to the tunnel trailing by a goal. 

Upon their emergence from the tunnel, the Mother City continued where they left off, putting the hosts under pressure in the 53rd minute, but Chigova was alert to collect Ebrahim Seedat’s low cross.

With less than 30 minutes to go, Rise and Shine were awarded a penalty when Cape Town City defender Abbubaker Mobara was adjudged to have pushed Lesiba Nku in the box and the referee pointed to the spot.

Sibusiso Mbonani took the responsibility of converting the penalty, but Leuwenburgh produced a brilliant save to keep the game deficit within reach.

Polokwane City were awarded a corner kick in the 70th minute and Mpho Mvelase came close to doubling the lead when his glancing header went inches wide with the hosts’ keeper beaten.

Towards the final six minutes, Krmpotic’s men were under pressure but managed to make it 2-0 through Charlton Mashumba, who finished a great cross from the right-wing to beat Leuwenburgh. 

The Limpopo-based club continued to probe for a third goal and Leuwenburgh produced a superb save before Emilson Dove cleared the danger in the 88th minute.

In injury time, the Mother City thought they had found a consolation goal courtesy of Dove, but it was ruled out for an offside.