Stellenbosch FC did Orlando Pirates a big favour by holding SuperSport United to a goalless draw in DStv Premiership action on Tuesday night.
DStv Premiership
Result: SuperSport United 0-0 Stellenbosch FC
Date: 02 May 2023
Venue: TUT Stadium
SuperSport coach Gavin Hunt made only one change to the side that edged AmaZulu the last time out, as Grant Margeman returned in the line-up.
Stellies rested virtually all the regulars ahead of the Nedbank Cup semi-finals, as only Vusi Sibiya and Nhlanhla Mgaga remained while Iqraam Rayners was not eligible due to a transfer agreement after he was re-signed from Matsatsantsa.
The sides took time to settle in the game but SuperSport showed more attacking intent as Lungu had a chance on 20 minutes with a volley unmarked in the box that he dragged wide.
Stellies soaked up the pressure and were coming out of their defensive shape more after half-an-hour but they could not progress in the last third, with lone striker Sinethemba Mngomezulu isolated up top.
Despite a lot of new combinations across the field for Stellies, they were compact enough to deny United spaces to exploit in and around their box as they first stanza could not produce goals.
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Steve Barker's charges were a different side from the restart as Jayden Adams produced the first shot on target with a low diagonal shot that was parried away at full stretch by goalkeeper Ricardo Goss.
The visitors maintained their pressure going forward and Barker made attacking changes around the hour-mark as Ibraheem Jabaar and Devon Titus were introduced in places of Mgaga and Van Wyk for fresh legs.
Titus made an impact eight minutes later for Stellenbosch with a telling cross that was headed goal-bound by Juan Ortiz but Goss made another out-stretched save.
Matsatsantsa struggled to get out of their own half and looked to change their fortunes with fresh legs up top in the last 15 minutes as Zakhele Lepasa replaced Grobler to partner fellow second-half substitute Thamsanqa Gabuza.
The game was there for the taking in the closing stages but neither side could get clear chances, as the sides shared the spoils.
SuperSport, who are third on the table, reduced the deficit behind second-placed Orlando Pirates to just a point but the Soweto giants can extend that gap if they defeat Royal AM on Wednesday afternoon.
Here's how they lined up:
SuperSport United: 20. Goss, 6. Ditlhokwe, 3. Hlatshwayo, 37. Johannes, 16. Bhasera, 40. Maseko, 8. Ndlovu, 21. Margeman, 12. Webber, 17. Lungu, 7. Grobler
Subs: 1. Chigova, 27. Phillips, 18. Nhlapo, 25. Maswanganyi, 10. Lepasa, 13. Gabuza, 29. Niang, 16. Mbatha
Stellenbosch FC: 32. Bombay, 2. Sobiech, 44. Jurgens, 22. Sibande, 23. Adams, 8. Nduli, 5. Sibiya, 15. Ortiz, 12. Mgaga, 29. Van Wyk, 37. Mngomezulu
Subs: 17. Stephens, 24. Basadien, 6. Mthethwa, 12. Mcaba, 41. Boji, 38. Makhanya, 7. Van Rooyen, 27. Jabaar, 34. Titus
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