SuperSport United and Cape Town City shared the spoils in a six-goal thriller at the Mbombela Stadium in the Absa Premiership on Saturday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

Kaitano Tembo’s men came into this game in an unbeaten run in the league after claiming two wins and a draw in their last three encounters.

Meanwhile, Benni McCarthy’s side were on a winless run in the last three matches in all competitions after suffering a 2-1 defeat by Kaizer Chiefs in their previous league match.

Matsatsantsa got off to the perfect start and took the lead after four minutes when Sipho Mbule’s volley found the net from inside the penalty area.

The Citizens then levelled matters four minutes later when Thabo Nodada marked his return with a clinical finish to find the back of the net.

City were unfortunate not to have taken the lead in the 12th minute as captain Thamsanqa Mkhize struck the woodwork after latching on to the end of a Surprise Ralani corner.

The visitors eventually took the lead five minutes later when Kermit Erasmus guided his header into the net after a swift counter-attack from City.

SuperSport wasted no time in equallising in the 22nd minute when Bradley Grobler capitalised on a defensive error from City to make it 2-2.

Aubrey Modiba should have put his side ahead in the 31st minute but saw his low cut shot sail wide of the target.

Matsatsantsa had another opportunity to take the lead seven minutes later but Thamsanqa Gabuza failed to direct his shot on target.

The game went into half time with the score line locked at 2-2 at the Mbombela Stadium.

McCarthy made his first change of the game early in the second half when Craig Martin came on to replace Riyaad Norodien, who picked up an injury during the first half.

The Citizens continued to press forward and took the lead after 53 minutes when Nodada found the back of the net for the second time in the game.

Tembo made his first substitution after the 63rd minute when Teboho Mokoena came on to replace Mbule.

At the other end, United managed to level the game in the 64th minute when Gabuza slotted the ball home to make it 3-3.

McCarthy made his second substitution when he introduced Siphelele Mthembu for Mpho Makola, while Tembo brought on Kudakwashe Mahachi for Modiba.

SuperSport came close to taking the lead in the 69th minute but Description
Siyabonga Nhlapo blazed his half volley over the bar.

United had another chance to take the lead as skipper Clayton Daniels saw his header saved by Peter Leewenburgh.

Leewenburgh came to his side’s rescue in the 75th minute when he made a great save to deny Grobler’s effort.

With seven minutes left to play, Mkhize had a chance to put the game to bed when he got up high to meet a ball from Erasmus, but the City captain was unable to direct his header on target as it sailed over the crossbar.

City made their final change in the 87th minute when Ralani came off and was replaced by Zukile Kewuti.

However, neither side were able to find a winning goal in the closing stages of the game as they shared the spoils at the Mbombela Stadium.