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Cape Town - Cape Town City clinched a 3-0 victory over Highlands Park at Cape Town Stadium on Friday night to book their place in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals.
As it happened: Cape Town City v Highlands Park
After a goalless first stanza, the Citizens claimed the lead through Thami Mkhize on the hour mark before Craig Martin added his name to the scoresheet with a memorable volley from the edge of the box. The win was secured a couple of minutes later as a defensive mix-up at the back resulted in goalkeeper Marlon Heugh putting the ball on his own net.
The first half offered up plenty of action and it took the Citizens just two minutes to create for the first chance of note, Bradley Ralani forcing a save from Highlands Park keeper Marlon Heugh after connecting sweetly on the half-volley.
The Lions of the North didn't take long to post a response, though, and they went agonisingly close to claiming the lead in the sixth minute. Peter Shalulile shrugged clear of his marker at the back post, but his header came back off the crossbar and the rebound struck him before City keeper Peter Leeuwenburgh pounced on the ball to snuff out the danger.
The hosts were forced to make an early change in the 15th minute, however, as Teko Modise replaced the injured Roland Putsche.
Thabo Nodada tried his luck from range in the 28th minute, but his speculative effort went sailing over the bar.
Nodada was very nearly made to rue that missed opportunity as Highlands Park again struck the crossbar, with Sphiwe Mahlangu seeing his powerful effort in the 31st minute denied by the woodwork.
But as the first half drew to a close, the scoreline remained unchanged with neither side able to find the all-important breakthrough.
However, that all changed after the half-time break as the Citizens showed a ruthless touch in front of goal.
The deadlock was finally broken on the hour mark, Thami Mkhize converting on the rebound after Kermit Erasmus' stinging shot was saved by Heugh.
City struck again ten minutes later following a wonderful piece of individual brilliance. Martin latching onto a looping pass on the edge of the box before firing a sweet volley past Heugh and into the back of the net.
The Lions of the North were still reeling from the second goal when the Citizens bombed forward two minutes later and caught the defence napping. Luckyboy Mokoena intercepted the ball before playing a pass back to Heugh, who saw the ball bobble over the top of his foot before rolling over the line.
The third goal effectively ended the match as a contest, with Highlands Park unable to muster a noteworthy response in the remaining minutes as the Citizens comfortably held on.
