SuperSport United returned to winning ways after claiming a narrow 1-0 victory over Maritzburg United at the Mbombela Stadium in the Absa Premiership on Saturday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.
The Pretoria-based outfit came into this encounter hoping to redeem themselves after extending their winless streak to three games following their 1-0 defeat to Kaizer Chiefs on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Team of Choice continued their disappointing form after sharing the spoils with Black Leopards in their mid-week action in the Absa Premiership.
The game got off to a slow start with both sides trying to find their rhythm in the opening exchanges of the match.
Deolin Mekoa had the first opportunity of the game in the fourth minute when he cut inside before unleashing a strike, but the midfielder’s effort sailed wide of the target.
Both teams looked threatening after 10 minutes of play, but neither side could carve out any clear-cut chances in the final third.
The visitors nearly took the lead after 15 minutes when Fortune Makaringe made his way into the box before picking out Mekoa, who had a snap shot at goal, but SuperSport keeper Ronwen Williams was well-placed to make the save.
Maritzburg had another opportunity 10 minutes later after Mxolisi Kunene’s cross found Mohau Mokate, whose powerful header was well-saved by Williams.
Pogiso Sanoka should have handed the visitors the lead in the 39th minute, but the forward was unable to steer his effort towards goal.
Evans Rusike came close to hand the home side the lead on the stroke of half-time, but the SuperSport striker could only blaze his effort wide of the target as the game went into the break locked at 0-0.
SuperSport came out with more intent in the second half as they looked to break the deadlock early in the second stanza.
Aubrey Modiba should have handed SuperSport the lead after 50 minutes, receiving a great cross played in by Rusike, but the midfielder placed his effort wide of the target.
Matsatsantsa kept applying the pressure on the Team of Choice when Sipho Mbule produced a strike from distance, but his curling strike sailed wide of the target.
SuperSport were then awarded a penalty in the 62nd minute after Pogiso Sanoka clipped James Keene in the area. Modiba stepped up and made no mistake from the spot kick.
Two minutes after taking the lead, Keene forced the Maritzburg shot-stopper into making an impressive save to deny his effort.
Maritzburg had a chance to level matters in the 78th minute, but Yazid Atouba saw his set piece headed over the crossbar by Siyanda Xulu.
Mokoena should have doubled his side’s lead in the 83rd minute, but he could only manage to blaze his effort wide of the target.
At the other end, Keletso Makgalwa came close from 20 yards out when he drove past the SuperSport defence before firing his effort wide of the target.
The Team of Choice pressed forward in the closing stages of the game as they went in search of an equaliser, but SuperSport held on to their 1-0 lead until the final whistle to claim maximum points at the Mbombela Stadium.
