Cape Town - Cape Town City rode their luck to secure a 1-0 win over league champions Wits at the Bidvest Stadium on Friday night.
The Clever Boys dominated most of the first half, but conceded with City's only effort on goal in that period. It was the same story in the second half in what proved to be a highly frustrating evening for Bidvest Wits.
The Students got off to a flying start and could have been ahead after two minutes had Thabang Morena not slashed a volley wide.
The pressure continued and City had a fortunate escape in the eighth minute when James Keene's header was ruled out for off-sides.
The Johannesburg side continued to enjoy the upper-hand, but despite chances for Elias Pelembe and Maliele Pule, the score-line remain unchanged.
Instead it was the visitors who took the lead with a rare opportunity, thanks to a clinical glancing header from Lehlohonolo Majoro, Lebogang Manyama the provider.
Just after the restart Bidvest Wits had a second goal ruled off-sides when Bongani Khumalo had his close range effort ruled out, much to the relief of City goalkeeper Shu-aib Walters, who had initially spilled the ball.
Walters then kept the Cape side's lead intact when he saved Gabadinho Mhango's 52nd minute penalty, Mhango himself having won the spot kick after going to ground following a slight nudge from Manyama.
Wits continued to put the City goal under pressure and it took a couple of goal-line clearances on the hour mark to prevent the equaliser.
Keene wasted a great opportunity 20 minutes from time when he headed wide from close range after some superb work by the tricky Mhango.
The Cape club put bodies on the line in the closing minutes which ensured that the home side were unable to create any clearcut chances for an equaliser.