SuperSport United climbed to second spot on the DStv Premiership table after defeating Cape Town City 1-0 on Tuesday evening.
DStv Premiership
Result: Cape Town City 0-1 SuperSport United
Date: 03 January 2023
Venue: DHL Stadium
The Citizens gave club record signing, Colombian forward Juan Zapata his debut from the off, as Thabo Nodada returned, in two changes from their win over Royal AM.
Matsatsantsa, meanwhile, made three changes to the side that edged Marumo Gallants, as Luke Fleurs, Gamphani Lungu and Thapelo Maseko were recalled.
City were quick off the blocks as Khanyisa Mayo had a good chance within the first five minutes after he was setup by Lyle Lakay from a corner but his acrobatic shot missed just wide.
The game continued with a high intensity, although chances were few and far between and Matsatsantsa had to make a change ten minutes before the interval after Thatayaone Ditlhokwe got injured and he was replaced by Siyabonga Nhlapo.
However, there was a flurry of chances leading up to the half-time break as Grant Margeman brought City goalkeeper Darren Keet to action for the first time.
Thamsanqa Mkhize also had a big chance for Eric Tinkler's charges on the stroke of half-time after flick on by Taariq Fielies but his shot at the back post hit the side-netting.
The hosts also had an injury blow, as Mayo did not return from the break and he was replaced by Kajally Drammeh.
The early exchanges of the second stanza took time to produce goal-mouth action but on 67 minutes Maseko had a great chance for United after a late run in the box from a cross but he could not connect properly, with only only Keet to beat.
The Citizens changed their shape of attack in the last quarter of an hour, as Mduduzi Mdantsane replaced Zapata upfront.
However, City still struggled to get out of their own half as they were eventually punished with eight minutes to go after Bradley Grobler powered home a header from a cross by Patrick Maswanganyi and moved level with Kaizer Chiefs striker Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana on seven goals in the scoring charts.
Gavin Hunt's men dropped deep in numbers in the dying minutes, as the Citizens showed urgency to get the equaliser, however, City lacked momentum and United held on to climb above Richards Bay in second place.
Here's how they line up:
Cape Town City: 16. Keet, 2. Mkhize, 15. Cupido, 12. Fielies, 24. Lakay, 3. Mokeke, 26. Nodada, 17. Zapata, 11. Mayo, 20. Darwin, 21. Mani
Subs: 31. Mpandle, Gordinho, 23. Rhodes, 7. Kajally, 13. Van Heerden, 8. Makola, 41. Daniels, 10. Mdantsane, 5. Ambina
SuperSport United: 20. Goss, 6. Ditlhokwe, 25. Fleurs, 23. Margeman, 14. Bhasera, 28. Maswanganyi, 17. Lungu, 15. Ndlovu, 40. Maseko, 37. Johannes, 7. Grobler
Subs: 31. Pule, 13. Gabuza, 18. Nhlapo, 26. Donn, 9. Rayners, 11. Ngoma, 12. Webber, 24. Sibanyoni, 4. Kewuti.
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