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Cape Town - Cape Town City scored two goals deep into extra time to defeat Bloemfontein Celtic 2-0 at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday night and advance into the last eight of the Telkom Knockout.
The last 16 tie went the full distance of 120 minutes and only after Phunya Sele Sele had been reduced to 10 men did the Citizens find a breakthrough, with Sibusiso Masina scoring the crucial goal.
Both teams struggled to find a rhythm in attack, but as the first half wore on it was the hosts who began to create some decent scoring chances.
The best arrived in the 35th minute when Matt Sim provided a fine cross from the left flank to find Judas Moseamedi, but the striker made a mess of his attempt at goal and failed to hit the target from close range.
Celtic saw little of the ball in the attacking third during the first half, but they created the first genuine chance of the second when Khethowakhe Masuku had the chance to lob a stranded Shu-Aib Walters in the 56th minute, only to put his effort wide.
The former Orlando Pirates winger was soon replaced by Deon Hotto, but neither Celtic nor City were able to create any clear chances in the remainder of regulation time, leading to an extra 30 minutes.
Extra time brought little to report until the 112th minute when Celtic defender Tshepo Rikhotso picked up his second yellow card and was sent off.
With their opponent down to 10 men, City sniffed a chance of stealing the game and avoiding penalties. They did just that, with Sibusiso Masina scoring a fine solo goal in the 115th minute to put the home side ahead.
Two minutes later it was 2-0, with the unfortunate Kabelo Mahlasela turning a scuffed shot from Thabo Nodada into his own net to kill off Phunya Sele Sele’s slim hopes of a comeback.
