Cape Town City's journey in the CAF Confederation Cup came to an end after a 1-0 loss to USM Alger in the play-off stage on Wednesday evening.
There was one alteration from the Citizens' line-up after the goalless draw in the first leg, as Thabo Nodada dropped to the bench with Mduduzi Mdantsane getting the start..
City goalkeeper Darren Keet was kept busy during the earlier exchanges, as the host piled bodies forward in pursuit of the opening strike.
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After a quiet start, the Citizens were close to a breakthrough when Mdantsane and Mpho Makola combined to get a shot away from the edge of the area which the host cleared.
Keet was called to action again after USM went in desperate search of the opener, but the shot-stopper remained resilient and helped his team enter halftime goalless.
It was a more purposeful start to the second half for City which very nearly yielded the breakthrough from a fast-paced counter by Khanyisa Mayo and Mdantsane, but to no avail.
As the clock ticked away, the Citizens remained on the charge and appealed for a spot-kick after Mayo rounded the opposite number before being hacked down, although it was waved away by the referee.
USM rallied on towards the closing minutes and snatched the winner courtesy of a long-range strike which beat Keet and helped the host onto the group stages of the Confederation Cup.
Confirmed line-ups:
Cape Town City: Keet, Mkhize, Cupido, Fielies, Van Heerden, Mokeke, Ambina, Makola, Mayo, Mdantsane, Lekay.
Subs: Mpandle, Bender, Kajally, Darwin, Martin, Rhodes, Goedeman, Nodada
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