SuperSport United struck late in the second half to secure their spot in the Nedbank Cup last 16 with a 1-0 triumph over Maritzburg United.
Nedbank Cup Last 32
Result: Maritzburg United 0-1 SuperSport United
Date: 08 February 2022
Venue: Harry Gwala Stadium
The Team of Choice handed debuts to Lucky Baloyi, Nicholus Lukhubeni, Friday Samu and Tawanda Macheke, while SuperSport recalled Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, Jesse Donn and Iqraam Rayners.
Matsatsantsa were on the front foot in the opening exchanges and Rayners should have put them ahead in the first quarter of an hour after going clear on goal but his shot was saved by goalkeeper Marcel Engelhardt.
Ernst Middendorp's charges had a big chance on a counter-attack just before the half-hour mark after Daylon Claasen went through on goal but his strike forced shot-stopper Ronwen Williams into a fine reflex save.
The game opened up in the closing phase of the first stanza but both sides lacked the final pass and went to the half-time break still deadlocked.
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Maritzburg showed attacking intent at haltime, as they brought on striker Amadou Soukouna in place of Baloyi and they pressurised SuperSport early in the second stanza, with Macheke forcing Williams to work with a strike towards the bottom corner.
The game was there for the taking for both sides in the latter stages and Samu had a big chance for the Team of Choice in the last 16 minutes with a strike unmarked in the box but Williams was up to the task.
Howevrer, Maritzburg were caught on a counter-attack in the last minute as Rayners raced through on goal and curled a powerful strike into the top corner, as Matsatsantsa booked their spot in the last 16.
Here's how they started:
Maritzburg: 31. Engelhardt, 17. Claasen, 5. Daniels, 16. Ritchie, 6. Graham, 27. Ndengane, 42. Rae, 23. Lukhubeni, 12. Baloyi, 20. Samu, Macheke.
Subs: Leaner, 25. Ismail, 8. Kewuti, 28. Palace, 10. Human, 18. Njoti, 19. Skelem, 11. Soukouna, 22. Theron.
SuperSport: 30. Williams, 27. Philipps, 25. Fleurs, 6. Ditlhokwe, 14. Bhasera, 12. Webber, 26. Donn, 35. Rasebotja, 23. Waiswa, 17. Lungu, 9. Rayners.
Subs: 31. Pule, 18. Nhlapo, 2. Ngobeni, 41. Avontuur, 38. Moralo, 40. Maseko, 11. Mahachi, 21. Maziko
