Win for Cape Town City in M’bique

BENNI McCarthy might have been away stalking Pep Guardiola last night, but his Cape Town City charges did not miss him at all as they won away in Mozambique in the African Confederation Cup.

Sibusiso Masina scored at the Zimpeto Stadium outside Maputo for a 1-0 win over Costa do Sol to keep up a winning start to City’s debut campaign in continental club competition.

Mamelodi Sundowns would have been hoping for a more emphatic start, but are still well placed to advance in the African Champions League even after a goalless draw away at Rayon Sport of Rwanda in Kigali last night.

Sundowns, who received a bye in the first round, dominated the first-half possession and had several chances, but seemed to fade away in the tropical heat as they made their bow into the 2018 edition.

The width of the woodwork saved Sundowns as Rayon broke away in the 70th minute, with Christ Mbondi beating Denis Onyango but not the upright and the ball bouncing back into play.

But with the second leg to come in Tshwane, Sundowns should still be a sure-fire bet for the group phase of the continent’s top club competition.

Meanwhile, Bidvest Wits went down to a single goal in Luanda yesterday and will need to win by a two-goal margin in the return leg if they are to forge a first-ever place in the African Champions League at the expense of Angola’s Primeiro Agosto.

Striker Geraldo scored 12 minutes from the end of the first leg of their second round tie to give the hosts a slender margin in the tie.