MTN8
Result: Bidvest Wits 0-3 SuperSport United
Date: 18 August 2019
Venue: Bidvest Stadium
Thamsanqa Gabuza netted a brace for SuperSport United, who defeated Bidvest Wits 3-0 to advance to the MTN8 semi-finals.
The Clever Boys made two changes from their win over Polokwane City in midweek, as Haashim Domingo and Terrence Dzvukamanja graced the line-up. Meanwhile, Thamsanqa Gabuza was the only new face in the line-up for Matsatsantsa from their thumping win over Orlando Pirates. United had a chance to open the scoring in the 11th minute after Evans Rusike delivered a teasing cross to the near post that was parried into the path Bradley Grobler, who scuffed his shot wide from a rebound. However, Wits had the best chance in the 25th minute after Carl Lark went clear on goal inside the box following a through ball, but Siyabonga Nhlapo quickly recovered at the back and made a goal-saving block just as the striker was about to pull the trigger. Rusike was particularly dangerous for the visitors on the right wing, always breaking away free but the Clever Boys dealt with his crosses whipped towards the box looking for Grobler and Gabuza as the first stanza ended without goals as a result. Matsatsantsa finally broke the deadlock three minutes before the hour-mark, as Grobler pounced on mistake by Thulani Hlatshwayo to fire past Petersen from close range, making it three goals in two games. Gabuza doubled the lead for SuperSport in the 64th minute, getting his first goal at the club with a powerful header at the back post following a great cross by Nhlapo. Gabuza had a chance to get the third goal for United and his brace with ten minutes remaining after he was picked out by Rusike with a cross unmarked at far post, but this time he could not direct his header on target. Wits shot themselves in the foot with three minutes remaining after Zitha Macheke clipped Kudakwashe Mahachi's heel inside the box, conceding a penalty in the process. Gabuza stepped up and sent Petersen the wrong way with a side-footed finish to complete his brace and round off the scoring. Here's how they lined up: Wits: 1. Petersen, 3. Hlatshwayo, 15. Mkhwanazi, 24. Macheke, 27. Ritchie, 10. Domingo, 11. Hotto, 14. Nange, 17. Alexander, 32. Lark, Dzvukamanja. Subs: 16. Mhlongo, 6. Johannes, 7. Pelembe, 8. Monare, 21. Doutie, 25. Motupa, 28. Macuphu. SuperSport: 30. Williams, 18. Nhlapo, 20. Kekana, 4. Daniels, 14. Bhasera, 8. Furman, 28. Mokoena, 24. Mbule, 19. Rusike, 13. Gabuza, 7. Grobler. Subs: 33. Pule, 25. Fleurs, 12. Webber, 3. Khumalo, 11. Mahachi, 23. Mnyamane, 17. Lungu.
