SuperSport United climbed to the top of the DStv Premiership table after defeating Stellenbosch FC 2-0 on Tuesday evening.
DStv Premiership
Teams: Stellenbosch FC v SuperSport United
Date: 18 October 2022
Venue: Danie Craven Stadium
Stellies made three changes from their 1-1 draw against Golden Arrows, as they were bolstered by the return of Junior Mendieta, Sinethemba Mngomezulu and Antonio Van Wyk.
SuperSport, meanwhile, made two alterations to the team that thrashed Sekhukhune United, as Siyabonga Nhlapo and Jesse Donn were recalled.
Matsatsantsa had a chance to get an early lead after a free-kick after a handball outside the box but Patrick Maswanganyi's effort was thwarted by goalkeeper Sage Stephens.
Gavin Hunt's charges remained on the front foot, as they looked to bring Bradley Grobler and Thamsanqa Gabuza in the game with wing play but Stephens was alert to smother crosses.
However, United's pressure eventually paid off ten minutes before the half-time break after Jamie Webber fired a strike past Stephens from a pass by Nhlapo in the box.
Stellies could not launch a late surge towards goal after the injury of Fawaaz Basadien shortly before the interval, who was replaced by Ibraheem Jabaar.
Steve Barker's troops had a bright start as they put SuperSport under tremendous pressure but they were kept at bay by the brilliance of goalkeeper Ricardo Goss between the sticks.
The visitors, however, had a big chance to double their lead from a counter-attack shortly before the hour-mark but Grobler guided a free header in the box slightly over the crossbar.
Matsatsantsa gained momentum from that passage of play and Grobler eventually doubled their advantage on 68 minutes with a first-time strike at the near post after a low cross by Gamphani Lungu.
Barker reacted with by taking a different approach going forward, as big centre forward Judas Moseamedi replaced Mendieta.
However, Matsatsantsa were the most dangerous side, particularly from the wings, as Grobler missed another sitter 14 minutes before time after guiding a free header over the crossbar, with the net gaping on the far side of the box.
Stellies were not finding any rhythm going forward and gave away chances as Maswanganyi had a chance to make it 3-0 for United in the dying minutes after going through on goal at the near post but his strike was well kept out by the strong hand of Stephens.
The home side probed in stoppages but they did not trouble Matsatsantsa, who held on to a comfortable win and leapfrogged leaders Mamelodi Sundowns by one point at the top of the log.
Here's how they lined up:
Stellenbosch FC: 17. Stephens, 38. Makhanya, 21. Basadien, 7. Van Rooyen, 6. Mthethwa, 10. Mendieta, 5. Sibiya, 8. Nduli, 12. Mgaga, 29. Van Wyk, 37. Mngomezulu.
Subs: 35. Langeveldt, 25. Andries, 3. Letsoenyo, 27. Jabaar, 16. Hahn, 26. Mcaba, 20. Moseamedi, 34. Titus, 23. Adams
SuperSport United: 20. Goss, 18. Nhlapo, 6. Ditlhokwe, 3. Hlatshwayo, 14. Bhasera, 28. Maswanganyi, 26. Donn, 12. Webber, 15. Ndlovu, 13. Gabuza, 7. Grobler.
Subs: 1. Chigova, 25. Fleurs, 16. Mbatha, 43. Rapoo, 9. Rayners, 11. Ngoma, 17. Lungu, 27. Phillips
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