Staff Reporter.
Cape Town City cruised into the final of the MTN8 with a convincing 4-0 victory over Swallows FC in the semi-final second-leg on Wednesday evening.
Following a goalless first leg at the end of August, both sides started the match conservatively with no goal threatening chances in the opening minutes.
Swallows took to the field without head coach Brandon Truter for the second week as he is on “special leave” and will return next week.
The game’s feel did not take off as both sides attempted to create meaningful goalscoring opportunities, which only occurred after the weather took a turn for the worse.
A significant concern on the night were the weather conditions, as lightning threatened the match at the half-hour mark.
Referee Victor Hlungwani was alert to the situation and allowed play to continue as the rain came down on the Dobsonville pitch.
The weather did spark some energy into the match as the wet surface began to affect the game.
City took the lead in the 42nd minute. Terrence Mashego carried the ball forward and crossed into the area where Bradley Ralani took it on his chest and hit a left footed volley low past Virgil Vries.
Swallows so nearly equalised soon afterwards. Taariq Fielies lost an aerial challenge to Mwape Musonda and Khetukuthula Ndlovu ran onto the flick-on and volleyed narrowly past the post.
The away team took a 2-0 lead in the 58th minute. Thabo Nodada released Lakay in an inside right position and spotted Vries in no man’s land before chipping a beautiful effort over his head and into the back of the net.
A moment later, City had a big chance to bury it. Ralani slid a pass to Lakay who skipped past Tebogo Langerman and just had the goalkeeper to beat but his effort flashed just wide of the post.
City grab the third in the 68th minute when Mduduzi Mdantsane sent Nodada in behind the defence and he squared for Ralani to tap into the open net.
The Citizens weren’t done and added a fourth goal in the last three minutes after Edmilson Dove got on the end of a corner-kick to head into the top corner to see City in the final of the MTN8, where they will face Mamelodi Sundowns.