Hosts SuperSport United were targeting maximum points heading into the tricky fixture against a Chippa United side brimming with confidence.
It was the visitors who had the first shot on target in the eighth
minute, when Chippa striker David Zulu strike was easily gathered by
Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Ronwen Williams in the SuperSport goal.
Just two minutes later at the other end, debutant Dove Wome forced
Chippa keeper Tshepo Motsoeneng into a brilliant save to deny the
Togolese international, and the rebound was immediately cleared away by
defender Bheki Nzunga.
The Chilli Boys responded via midfielder William Twala's thunderous
effort at goal, but Matsatsantsa keeper Williams was equal to the task
in the 18th minute.
It was end-to-end stuff, with both the keepers Williams and Motsoeneng kept busy in a cold night at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.
The home side finally got the goal they had been looking for in the
25th minute via a penalty spot-kick by new SuperSport captain and
defender Clayton Daniels.
This was after former Orlando Pirates defender Nzunga was judged to
have handled the ball inside his own box, and Daniels converted the
resultant penalty with ease.
Two efforts from Chippa captain Andile Mbenyane and SuperSport
winger Thuso Phala followed in the 27th and 32nd minute respectively,
but they were both well saved by the two keepers.
The entertaining first-half ended at 1-0 in favour of SuperSport.
On-loan Mamelodi Sundowns player Wome who had been involved in almost
every Matsatsantsa attack, was by far the best player on the pitch.
The two teams continued from where they left off in the first
stanza, as Chippa forward Mbenyane's long range effort was well saved by
Williams seven minutes into the second-half.
In the 56th minute, new Matsatsantsa striker Prince Nxumalo failed
to take advantage of keeper Motsoeneng's error at the back, after the
35-year-old shot-stopper had miskicked the ball.
Just five minutes after the hour-mark both teams were reduced to
ten men, when SuperSport striker Nxumalo and Chippa defender Christopher
Komane were both red-card for studs up.
With three minutes left on the clock, Chippa striker Zulu was just
unfortunate as his well taken effort struck the post with time running
out for the Port Elizabeth-based outfit,
Chippa continued to search for the equalizing goal, but the
Matsatsantsa backline led by captain Daniels stood firm against the
Chilli Boys attacks.
The home side managed to hang on to the lead, and the match referee
blew the whistle for full-time, with SuperSport winning 1-0 on the
night.
No comments:
Post a Comment