Cape Town City advanced to the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup after clinching a narrow 1-0 victory over Bidvest Wits at the Bidvest Stadium on Wednesday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

The Citizens got off to a great start and broke the deadlock as early as the second minute when debutant Matthew Rusike’s header found the back of the net after latching onto a pass by Teko Modise, 0-1.

Vincent Pule had a chance to level matters four minutes later, but Shu-Aib Walters made a great save to push the midfielder’s free-kick over the crossbar.

The Wits winger had another chance to equalise in the 19th minute, however he failed to direct his effort on target as his effort sailed over the bar.

The Clever Boys started seeing more of the ball after 30 minutes of play while the Citizens threatening the home side on the counter-attacks.

Benni McCarthy made his first change seven minutes before the half time interval when he introduced Craig Martin in place of Ayanda Patosi.

Gavin Hunt brought on Gabadinho Mhango for Lehlohonolo Majoro at the start of the second half to freshen up their attack.

Wits came close to equalising when Daylon Claasen saw his attempt cleared off the line by Modise from a corner kick.

Sifiso Myeni was forced off the field in the 56th minute through injury and was immediately replaced by Thabang Monare.

The Clever Boys pressed forward in the last 20 minutes of the match in search of an equaliser but were struggling to break down the Citizens defence.

The tempo of the match slowed down with 20 minutes left to play as City started to stay deep in their own half.

Mhango had a chance to find a late equalising goal, but the forward failed to test Walters from the edge of the area.

However, City held on to their one-goal lead over Wits until the final whistle to book their place in the Nedbank Cup round of 16.

In other Nedbank Cup results:

Ubuntu Cape Town 3-2 Polokwane City

AmaZulu 2(3)-2(0)

Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix