Cape Town City fought hard to claim a 1-0 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 semi-final first leg at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

Pitso Mosimane handed Toni Silva and Mosa Lebusa their first starts, while also playing Sphelele Mkhulise and Lucky Mohomi ahead of Andile Jali and Oupa Manyisa.

The home side looked more lively early on when Matthew Rusike almost broke the deadlock after 11 minutes with a shot from close range, but Kennedy Mweene did well to deny the City forward.

Sundowns started to find their rhythm after 20 minutes, but were struggling to create any clear-cut chances in the final third, even though the likes of Silva and Ali Meza looked threatening going forward.

Tariq Fielies had a chance to hand City the lead after 35 minutes, but the City defender steered his header wide of the target from close range.

Although Benni McCarthy’s men threatened in the closing stages of the first half, the game went into the break locked at 0-0.

The pacey Craig Martin should have handed City the breakthrough four minutes into the second half, but his back-heel sailed wide of the target.

Mkhulise almost gave Sundowns the lead four minutes later, but he could only rattle the woodwork with his effort from distance.

However, Fielies eventually broke the deadlock in the 75th minute when he slotted the ball into the roof of the net from close range.

Ayanda Patosi almost doubled City’s lead eight minutes later, but the acrobatic Mweene was on hand to deny him.

The visitors nearly equalised late on, but captain Anele Ngconcga’s effort hit the woodwork as City held on to their lead until the final whistle.