Lehlohonolo Majoro’s first-half header was enough to hand Cape Town City a 1-0 win over Absa premiership champions, Bidvest Wits.
The home side looked more threatening in the opening exchanges, with Vincent Pule proving to be a real threat down the left flank.
However, for all of Wits’ early dominance for most of the half, they struggled to carve out clear-cut chances in the 18-yard area.
Wits had to wait till the 35th minute for their first big chance when the ball fell to Elias Pelembe in the box, but City goalkeeper, Shu-Aib Walters was on hand to keep out the winger’s volley.
City broke the deadlock with their first real chance of the game in the 40th minute, as Majoro glanced home a header, following a free-kick from Lebogang Manyama.
The visitors nearly doubled the advantage on the stroke of halftime but Roland Putsche’s header sailed inches wide of the upright as they went into the break with a one-goal lead.
Five minutes into the second half, Wits were awarded a penalty when Tshepo Gumede was adjudged to have brought down Gabadinho Mhango. However, Walters went the right way and saved Mhango’s spot-kick.
Wits then opted for a change after 63 minutes as Grandwald Scott made way for Steven Pienaar as they pushed for an equaliser.
The hosts could have leveled matters in the 74th minute as Mhango skipped past three challenges before picking out Keene, who headed over from close range.
With Wits pushing for an equaliser, Benni McCarthy introduced defender Tariq Fieles for Manyama in the 85th minute.
Nonetheless, City managed to see out the closing stages of the second half as McCarthy got his Absa Premiership campaign off to a winning start.
Here’s how they lined up:
Wits: 16. Josephs, 3. Hlatshwayo, 4. Khumalo, 26. Scott, 6. Monare, 11. Pelembe, 12. Pule, 13. Hlanti, 14. Claasen, 28. Keene, 33 Frosler.
CT City: 1. Walters, 2. Mkhize, 27. Gumede, 16. Johannes, 5. Edmilson, 23. Matsi, 19. Putsche, 26. Nodada, 24. Masina, 8. Manyama, 45. Majoro.
