A second-half strike from Ayanda Patosi guided Cape Town City into the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals after claiming a narrow 1-0 victory over Orlando Pirates at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.  

The Buccaneers came out with intent in the opening exchanges of the game and nearly broke the deadlock after only eight minutes when Justin Shonga struck the woodwork with his effort from close range.

At the other end, City had a chance of their own as Patosi forced Pirates goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane into making a fine save to keep out his goal-bound effort.

Thami Mkhize should’ve handed his side the lead in the 16th minute when he directed his header towards goal, but his effort was cleared off the line by Happy Jele.

Lyle Lakay nearly gave City the lead on the half-hour mark after beating his markers before unleashing a thunderous strike at goal, only to rattle the woodwork.

Pirates almost took the lead five minutes from the half-time interval when Marshall Munetsi found space in the area before curling his effort towards goal, but the Zimbabwean’s shot sailed inches wide of the target.

The home side came out guns blazing in the second half and took the lead in the 55th minute after Surprise Ralani picked out Patosi, who slotted the ball into the back of the net.

The Buccaneers nearly equalised five minutes later when Munesti saw his header cleared off the line by Teko Modise from a corner.

Shonga should’ve levelled matters in the 78th minute when he made his way through on goal, but the forward failed to beat Sage Stephens in a one-on-one situation.

Pirates pressed forward in search of an equaliser in the closing stages of the match but were unable to break down the City defence as the home side held on to their one-goal lead book their place in the last eight of the Nedbank Cup.

Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix