Bradley Grobler's 99th top-flight goal was not enough to help SuperSport United overcome Royal AM at Chatshworth Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
DStv Premiership
Result: Royal AM v SuperSport United
Date: 18 February 2023
Venue: Chatsworth Stadium
SuperSport brought back their regulars after some were rested and some injured in their loss against Dondol Stars, as the likes of Thulani Hlatshwayo, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, Grant Margeman and Bradley Grobler returned.
Royal AM, meanwhile, recalled Mxolisi Macuphu and Thato Lingwati as two changes from their win on penalties against Cape Town City in the Nedbank Cup.
The game was cagey in the early stages and it took a set-piece for United to break the deadlock on 25 minutes after Bradley Grobler headed home a cross by Patrick Maswanganyi and netted his 99th goal in the top-flight.
The home side were fired up to get back into the game, put SuperSport under pressure and their persistence paid off seven minutes before the interval after found the back of the net with a close-range shot.
Matsatsantsa were on the front foot in the opening exchanges of the second stanza as Zakhele Lepasa and Margeman forced saves out of goalkeeper Hugo Nyame.
Looking to restore their lead, United coach Gavin Hunt eventually turned to his bench for inspiration with a double-attacking change just after the hour-mark, as Gamphani Lungu and Thamsanqa Gabuza both came on for Lepasa and Maswanganyi.
The game was in the balance in the closing stages and Onismor Bhasera fancied his chance in the dying minutes with a long range strike, but Nyame was on hand to make the save as the sides settled for a share of the spoils.
Royal AM: 16. Nyame, 14. Matlaba, 44. Dube, 13. Manganyi, 13. Lingwati, 7. Pelembe, 6. Kobedi, 11. Potsane, 17. Mogaila, 12. Mahlasela, 9. Macuphu
Subs: 32. Ngcobo, 2. Msomi, 42. Ncobeni, 26. Magaqa, 45. George, 22. Rikhotso, 3. Nascimento, 30. Gamildien, 35. Stoffels
SuperSport United: 20. Goss, 6. Ditlhokwe, 28. Maswanganyi, 3. Hlatshwayo, 37. Johannes 23. Margeman, 14. Bhasera, 40. Maseko, 10. Lepasa, 15. Ndlovu, 7/ Grobler
Subs: 1. Chigova, 18. Nhlapo, 11. Ngoma, 26. Donn, 13. Gabuza, 24. Sibanyoni, 17. Lungu, 29. Niang, 4. Kewuti
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