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Cape Town - Tariq Fielies scored the solitary goal of the match to give Cape Town City the upper hand over Mamelodi Sundowns going into the second leg of the MTN8 semi-finals.
Pitso Mosimane rested a number of his regulars ahead of the crucial CAF Champions League match with Horoya of Guinea on Tuesday.
Mosa Lebusa and Sphelele Mkhulise were both handed their first start for the Brazilians.
City took control of the game in the early stages and came close to the opener in the 11th minute through Matthew Rusike, but Kennedy Mweene made a good save from close range.
The home side got yet another good opportunity in the 35th, but Fielies, who had been a threat for the whole game on set piece failed to punish the visitors with his effort going wide.
Ali Meza was also very lively for the Brazilians and gave the Citizens a tough time for the better part of the first half.
The match went to the half-time break with both teams playing attacking football, but struggled to create clear goal scoring chances.
Benni McCarthy's side started the second half the better of the two teams and created two good chances to take the lead.
Mweene once again had to come to the rescue for the Brazilians from an Ayanda Patosi's free kick in the 46th minute.
The Citizen made their first change of the match shortly afterwards taking off 35-year old Teko Modise for fresh legs of Gift Links.
The goal finally came in the 73rd minute as Fielies punished Sundowns after failing to clear a corner kick with a well taken shot inside the box.
The Capetonians nearly doubled the lead on the 83rd minute as Mweene made another good save to deny Patosi from giving his team a healthy lead.
Sundowns could have snatched a late equaliser from a set piece as Lebusa rose higher in the box, but his headed effort hit the crossbar.
The match finished at 1-0 as City took a 1-0 lead going into next week second leg match to be played at Lucas Moripe Stadium.
