Staff Reporter.
Cape Town City and Swallows FC played to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their MTN8 semifinal at the Athlone Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
City made one change from their win over Royal AM in midweek as Khanyisa Mayo was preferred ahead of Douglas Maphumo, while Swallows named Strydom Wambi as their only change too.
The Citizens started the stronger of the two teams and nearly claimed the lead through Terrence Mashego, whose powerful burst down the left flank ended with a low shot which flashed across the face of goal in just the second minute.
Swallows, though, soon settled into a rhythm and found space for the likes of Khetukuthula Ndlovu and Dillon Solomons with relative ease, while striker Ruzaigh Gamildien headed off target from a decent chance in the 12th minute.
City were inches away from breaking the deadlock midway through the first half, with Khanyisa Mayo’s excellent delivery from a kick finding Abbubaker Mobara unmarked, but his volleyed shot from a tight angle struck the woodwork.
The hosts ended the half with a spell of pressure, including a long-range effort from Mayo which was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Virgil Vries, and the subsequent corner kick on the cusp of the break saw Taariq Fielies miss out from a free header.
The early minutes of the second stanza saw the teams trade attacks end-to-end, though the first clear chance after the restart only arrived jut after the hour mark: Mashego’s low cross was turned goal-wards by Mayo, but Vries was on hand to deny the young attacker with another good save.
The Birds were reduced to rare counter attacks in terms of threat – despite the late introductions of Mwape Musonda, Zaphaniah Mbokoma and Fawaaz Basadien – and City continued to pile on the pressure, with Abdul Ajagun twice coming close in the dying minutes.
However, the match came to a close with the score line still blank, leaving the tie very much in the balance.
The teams will meet for the return leg at Dobsonville Stadium on Wednesday 29 September, with the aggregate winners going on to face either Mamelodi Sundowns or Golden Arrows in the final.