City ease past Royal in Carling Knockout

Cape Town City eased past Royal AM 3-0 in a Carling Knockout last-16 tie played at the Athlone Stadium on Saturday evening.

The Citizens – thanks to goals from Amadou Soukouna, Jaedin Rhodes and Jody Ah Shene – will be present in the quarterfinals alongside Stellenbosch FC, Magesi FC, Marumo Gallants, Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and two further teams to be decided on Sunday.

The teams cancelled each other out through most of the first half, though City were certainly the more coherent and composed team in possession.

They were rewarded with a goal in the final minute of regulation time before the break, as a slick passing move put Siphamandla Dondolo free down the right, and he in turn provided a low cross to hand Amadou Soukouna a close-range tap-in for 1-0.

The Citizens doubled their advantage eight minutes into the second half, with Haashim Domingo picking out Jaedin Rhodes with a fine pass before the youngster crashed home a superb right-footed strike from just inside the penalty area.

The hosts made it 3-0 in the 81st minute as substitutes Kayden Francis and Jody Ah Shene combined, with the former crossing from the right for the latter to sweep home with pretty much his first touch after rising off the bench.

City will next be in action in a league match at home to Magesi FC next Sunday, 27 October, while Royal will be in league action this coming Wednesday, 23 October, away to champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

Cape Town City (1) 3 (Soukouna 45’, Rhodes 53’, Ah Shene 81’)

Royal AM (0) 0

City: Keet, Dondolo, Cupido, Gordinho, Nyama, Amato, Petrus (Slatsha 79’), Domingo (Francis 63’), Gonzalez (Aphane 79’), Rhodes (Seeretsi 80’), Soukouna (Ah Shene 80’)

Royal: Ngcobo, Shezi, Sikakane, Jiyane, Thikazi (Mbhele 70’), J. Dlamini, Ncobeni (Cele 57’), Radebe (B. Dlamini 57’), Mpisane (Sithebe 57’), Sithole, Machupu (Nzoyiya 70’)