SuperSport United edged out their Tshwane rivals Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in a DStv Premiership match at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria on Friday night.
This became Matsatsantsa’s first win over Masandawana since 2019 and the victory elevated the three-time Premiership champions to the sixth spot on the league standings ahead of the clash with Maritzburg United on 9 September. It was also SuperSport’s first home win over Sundowns since 2013.
Masandawana, meanwhile, saw their four-match unbeaten run come to an end. The result means the reigning DStv Premiership champions remain second on the league standings and there is no doubt they will be determined to return to winning ways when they face Chippa United on 7 September.It took just nine minutes for Thapelo Maseko to mark his return to action with a goal.
The 19-year-old, who had missed Sunday’s Tshwane Derby clash due to injury as Matsatsantsa lost 2-0, turned home Iqraam Rayners’s cross to hand SuperSport a 1-0 lead.Sundowns then surged forward in numbers with goalkeeper George Chigova becoming a busy man as he gathered a cross from Neo Maema before pulling off saves – denying Abubeker Nasir and Teboho Mokoena.
SuperSport made it 2-0 following a quick move down the left flank which saw eventual Man of the Match Rayners deliver a top-notch cross which was headed home by Bradley Grobler to double to hosts’ lead and Matsatsantsa were leading the interval.
Matsatsantsa did not sit back and defend after the restart with Grobler forcing keeper Ronwen Williams into a save at the near-post and at the other end, Chigova produced a diving save to deny Maema.With their side struggling to score, Sundowns co-coaches Manqoba Mngqithi and Rhulani Mokwena introduced Sipho Mbule, Bradley Ralani and Themba Zwane who had been surprisingly dropped ahead of this match.
Masandawana pushed for their first goal of the match, but they only got it in stoppage time with the hosts having defended very well until they conceded. Peter Shalulile’s header was headed home by Nasir as SuperSport claimed a 2-1 win.
SuperSport (2) 2 (Maseko 9′, Grobler 45’+1)Sundowns (0) 1 (Nasir 90’+3)SuperSport: Chigova, Ditlhokwe, Hlatshwayo, Johannes, Lungu (Phillips 86′), Bhasera, Nhlapo, Mbatha, Maseko (Maziko 66′), Grobler (Donn 76′), Rayners (Gabuza 86′).Sundowns: Williams, Lakay (Modiba 66′), Morena (Mvala 86′), Mandela, De Reuck, Jali, Mokoena (Zwane 60′), Maema (Mbule 60′), Nasir, Allende (Ralani 60′), Shalulile.
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