Cape Town City booked their spot in the Telkom Knockout final with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Free State Stars in their semi-final at Athlone Stadium on Saturday.

Eric Tinkler’s side got off to a good start and were awarded a penalty in the eighth minute when Katlego Mashego brought down Aubry Ngoma in the area. Lebogang Manyama stepped up to take the kick and made no mistake from the penalty spot.

The home side came close to doubling their lead in the 19th minute when Ngoma’s acrobatic effort was well saved by Stars shot-stopper Thela Ngobeni.

City then extended their lead in the 30th minute when Roland Putsche was afforded time and space before firing the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the box to make it 2-0.

Ea Lla Koto got a goal of their own in the 38th minute when Sekotling made it 2-1 after his curling free kick found the top corner from 25 yards out.

The score remained 2-1 after 45 minutes heading into half-time.

City continued to dominate the match and restored their two-goal lead in the 62nd minute when Mpho Matsi side-footed the ball into the back of the net at the far post.

However, the home side were dealt a major blow a few minutes later when Manyama was forced off the field through injury and was replaced by  Judas Moseamedi.

City all but sealed the victory in the 79th minute as Moseamedi played Ngoma through on goal and the winger fired the ball past past Ngobeni from close range to make it 4-1.

During the closing stages Stars substitute Angelo Kerspuy was shown a straight red card for elbowing Putsche in the chest, but City held on strong to win the match and book their place in the TKO finals.

Image: BackpagePix