SuperSport United moved to within two points of DStv Premiership leaders Mamelodi Sundowns with a 3-1 win Sekhukhune United on Friday evening.
DStv Premiership
Result: SuperSport United 3-1 Sekhukhune United
Date: 07 October 2022
Venue: Lucas Moripe Stadium
SuperSport were unchanged from their big win over Royal AM, while Sekhukhune also named the same line-up that started in the win over Orlando Pirates on Wednesday.
Matsatsantsa took the game to Babina Noko in the early stages as Thatayaone Ditlhokwe forced a reflex save from goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangare with a powerful header in the box after he was setup by Grobler with a cushioned header.
The hosts remained on the front foot and Grobler eventually gave them the lead on 15 minutes with a header at the back post after a a dipping delivery by Jamie Webber.
Kaitano Tembo's charges got out of their defensive shell somewhat and Nyiko Mobbie came close to restoring parity shortly after the half-hour mark with a cracking strike on the edge of the box that required a quick reaction by goalkeeper Richardo Goss, who parried his effort over the crossbar.
SuperSport regained their intensity going forward towards the end of the first stanza as they went 2-0 up after Sangare made a meal of a cross that bounced off the knee of Ditlhokwe and went into an empty.
Kaitano Tembo's men were fired up coming from the halftime break but they could not yet bring Goss into the game.
Gavin Hunt's troops remained a threat on long balls into the box and Gabuza added a third goal shortly before the hour-mark with a first-time shot into the top corner after being teed up by Grobler in the box.
It did not take long for the visitors to reduce the deficit as Thamsanqa Masiya gave them hope with a low strike at the back post past Goss after a through ball by Letsoalo.
Looking to get back into the game, Tembo made an attacking and tactical switch in the last 20 minutes, as Tashreeq Morris replaced Mobbie and a couple of minutes later Hunt brought on the fresh legs of Gamphani Lungu in place of Webber on the right wing.
However, Sekhukhune lacked the momentum in the closing stages as SuperSport controlled the tempo of the game and held on to move up to third on the table, two points behind leaders Sundowns, who have a game in hand.
Here's how they lined up:
SuperSport United: 20. Goss, 6. Ditlhokwe, 3. Hlatshwayo, 37. Johannes, 14. Bhasera, 23. Margeman, 28. Maswanganyi, 12. Webber, 15. Ndlovu, 7. Grobler, 13. Gabuza
Subs: 1. Chigova, 25. Fleurs, 16. Mbatha, 26. Donn, 9. Rayners, 11. Ngoma, 17. Lungu, 40. Maseko, 18. Nhlapo.
Sekhukhune United: 30. Sangare, 2. Mobbie, 4. Cardoso, 16. Seabi, 21. Letsoalo, 10. Shai, 39. Gyimah, 36. Ntiya-Ntiya, 7. Mncube, 23. Mntambo, 9. Mabasa Subs: 32. Mtsweni, 27. Mkhabela, 13. Motsepe, 26. Molaba, 35. Mahlangu, 6. Leepile, 20. Masiya, 12. Morris, 14. Makhubu
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
