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Cape Town - Matthew Rusike's early goal was enough for Cape Town City to snatch a 1-0 win over Bidvest Wits in their Nedbank Cup last-32 clash at the Bidvest Stadium on Wednesday.
Ayanda Patosi was close to putting the Citizens ahead just after kick-off when he curled an effort just wide but they didn't have to wait long for the opener as Rusike powered in a well-taken header from an inviting Teko Modise cross.
Wits came storming back as the rain poured down in Johannesburg and had good chances to equalise, but Sifiso Myeni fired over the bar from 12 yards out before Sifiso Hlanti went agonisingly wide with a free-kick after 11 minutes.
Vincent Pule was also not far off with a snap-shot midway through the half. Benni McCarthy's side found themselves penned back near their own box for much of the remainder of the half, although some solid defending left goalkeeper Shu-aib Walters with not too much work to do, apart from dealing with some crosses.
The Clever Boys remained on top after the restart and Thulani Hlatshwayo was unlucky not to level the tie when his powerful drive struck Modise on the City goal-line in the 50th minute.
But for the next 30 minutes, there were no clear-cut chances at either end as the two teams effectively cancelled each other out in the middle of the park.
Gabadinho Mhango did have an opportunity with five minutes to go, but his shot on the turn flashed inches wide, before Bongani Khumalo fired a shot from close range straight at Walters with the final move of the game.
