SuperSport get back to winning ways
SuperSport United returned to winning ways with a 2-0 win over Mpumalanga Black Aces in an Absa Premiership encounter at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Wednesday.
Goals from Thuso Phala and Bennett Chenene either side of the interval moved Matsatsantsa within 11 points of pacesetters Kaizer Chiefs who were held to a 2-2 draw by Maritzburg United on Tuesday.
SuperSport United mentor Cavin Johnson made a single change to the side that lost to Kaizer Chiefs last week with Bennett Chenene replacing the suspended Enocent Mkhabela.
Thabo September was named amongst the substitutes after successfully recovering from injury while new signing Joao de Olivier was also included on the bench.
Meanwhile, Black Aces coach Clive Barker handed Tendai Ndoro his full debut, the former Chicken Inn star partnered Mabhudi Khenyeza in attack. Former Orlando Pirates striker Thulasizwe Mbuyane was named amongst the substitutes.
Chances were few and far between in the opening exchanges with both defences keeping it neat and tidy at the back.
SuperSport looked the more lively going forward and broke the deadlock in the 28th minute through Thuso Phala, who netted his second goal of the season.
Sameehg Doutie failed to beat Bafana Nhlapo after being put through on goal, Phala though was there to tap in the rebound, 1-0.
Nhlapo pulled off a great save to deny United a second seven minutes later. Dino Ndlovu’s dipping effort looked destined for the back of the net but the Amazayoni keeper was up to the task.
Ndoro was presented with a glorious chance to grab a goal on debut just before the break, but the Zimbabwean somehow dragged his effort wide with just the United shot stopper to beat.
SuperSport United led Black Aces 1-0 at the break.
Aces controlled the early moments of the second stanza but it was the hosts who scored next through Chenene.
The former Moroka Swallows attacker ran onto a perfectly weighted ball by Doutie before cutting in field and slotting the ball past Nhlapo, 2-0.
Both sides created clear-cut opportunities as the half grew to and end but neither were able to convert.
The win moves SuperSport up to third place on the log while Aces slide down one place into 12th.
SuperSport United (1) 2 (Phala 28’Chenene 60’)
Mpumalanga Black Aces (0) 0
SuperSport United XI: Williams; Moloi, Fransman, Diouf, Doutie (Nkoana 90+1), Chenene (Mathebula 67’), Ndlovu (Olivier 77’), Phala, Manyama, Dean, Mokeke
Mpumalanga Black Aces: Nhlapo; Mabaso, Nato, Mwanjale, Kobola (Mulenga 83’), Ngalo, Zuke, Zwane, Nale (Qalinge 69’), Ndoro (Mbuyane 75’), Khenyeza
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