CAF Confederation Cup
Result: Gor Mahia 1-0 SuperSport United
Date: 08 April 2018
Venue: Machakos Stadium
SuperSport United went down 1-0 to Kenyan side Gor Mahia in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup playoff at Machakos Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Once settled, Morgan Gould nearly opened the scoring for United in the 15th minute following a cross from Luke Le Roux, but his header went wide.
The Kenyan side were finding openings up front but missed a sitter in the 19th minute after Matsatsantsa were found flat-footed at the back.
Thuso Phala played a brilliant through ball for Le Roux in the 24th minute for the hosts but the latter failed to hit the target with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Nigerian defender Azubuike Egwuekwe suffered an injury after 33 minutes and was replaced by Grant Kekana.
The match was really open and free-flowing but neither side could find the target as the first stanza ended goalless.
Six minutes into the second half, Sipho Mbule had a chance to break the deadlock for the visitors with a header inside the box but his effort sailed over the bar.
Reyaad Pieterse made a brilliant save four minutes before the hour to keep Matsatsantsa in the match as Gor were proving to be dangerous on counter-attacks.
Matsatsantsa conceded a penalty in the 78th minute and were punished as Rwandan striker Jacques Tuyisenge gave Gor Mahia the lead from the spot, 0-1.
United had chances towards the end but failed to convert and will have to wait for the second-leg to rectify their mistakes.
Here's how they lined up:
Gor Mahia: Oluch, Otieno, Onguso, Shakava, J. Onyango, Wedno, Mieno, Kahata, Odhiambo, Tuyisenge, Kagere.
Subs: Odhonji, S. Onyango, Omondi, Juma, Omondi, Ondiek, Guikan.
SuperSport: Pieterse, Nhlapo, Gould, Egwuekwe ,Boateng, Furman,Webber, Le Roux, Mokeke, Mbule, Phala.
Subs: Mbanjwa, Kekana, Mokoena, Mnyamane.
