Cape Town City needed an 87th-minute penalty from Darwin González to progress to the MTN8 semi-finals with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Sekhukhune United at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday afternoon.
Fortune Makaringe had the first shot on target in the third minute but Badri Ali Sangare easily collected.
In the 10th minute, Darren Keet almost gifted the home side a gift as he parried a header against the post for a corner.
Lorenzo Gordinho needed a well-timed clearance in the 17th minute from Linda Mntambo’s dangerous cross into the box.
Sekhukhune came inches close to taking the lead in the 24th minute but Keletso Makgalwa missed the target.
González then attempted a 29th-minute effort from outside the box but Sangare had it well covered.
In the 34th minute, Makgalwa was unlucky to see his well-taken effort straight into Keet’s hands.
City were awarded a penalty in the 40th minute but González went for power, striking the crossbar as the sides headed into halftime locked at 0-0.
González was well set up in the 67th minute but he skied his shot from inside the Sekhukhune 18-yard area.
Four minutes before full-time, the Citizens made it 1-0 after being awarded another spot-kick. González converted as Eric Tinkler’s charges progressed to the last four joining Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch FC.
