Dumiso Mabena (left) and Nigel de Jong in action in Saturday's match

Orlando Pirates beat a makeshift Manchester City side 2-0 in the first game of the Vodacom Challenge in South Africa on Saturday.

Lucas Thwala put Pirates ahead on 36 minutes from the penalty spot and Botswana midfielder Phenyo Mongala scored the second on 56 minutes.

City's new signing Carlos Tevez watched from the sidelines in Polokwane.

Manager Mark Hughes said it was "too dangerous" to field Tevez and Roque Santa Cruz as they lacked fitness.

Zimbabwean Benjani Mwaruwari played for City, who never threatened to take the initiative in the match.

The English club face Kaizer Chiefs on Tuesday in Durban before meeting the winners of a play-off between Chiefs and Pirates in the final next Saturday in Pretoria.

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