SuperSport United advance to the MTN8 semi-finals after securing a comfortable 3-0 victory over Bidvest Wits at the Bidvest Stadium on Sunday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.
Gavin Hunt’s men came into this encounter on a winning note after securing a narrow 1-0 victory over Polokwane City on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Kaitano Tembo’s came into this clash full of confidence after thrashing Orlando Pirates 3-0 in their Absa Premiership encounter on Wednesday.
The encounter got off to a good start with both teams fighting for possession during the early exchanges of the match.
In-form striker Bradley Grobler should have broken the deadlock after eight minutes but was unable to direct his effort towards goal after being picked out by Evans Russkie.
Wits had a chance of their own six minutes later but Deon Hotto was unable to keep his curling effort low as it sailed over the crossbar.
SuperSport came close to taking the lead in the 18th minute when Sipho Mbule’s set-piece picked out Teboho Mokoena, who flicked his header wide of the target.
Siyabonga Nhlapo made a goal-saving tackle in the 24th minute to deny Carl Lark a strike at goal with just the keeper to beat.
Hotto had another chance to hand his side the lead three minutes later when he unleashed a strike from range, but was unable to keep his effort down as it flew over the target.
Thamsanqa Gabuza should have given SuperSport the lead in the 43rd minute, but the striker failed to beat Wits keeper Brandon Peterson.
Neither side were able to break the deadlock as the game went into the half time interval locked at 0-0.
SuperSport came out the better side in the second half and grabbed an early lead when Grobler pounced on the end of a blocked shot deflection to smash the ball past Petersen.
Wits should have leveled matters moments later but Lark missed a sitter from close range.
Matsatsantsa then doubled their lead in the 64th minute when Gabuza headed the ball home after latching on to a pun-point cross from Nhlapo.
Gift Motupa should have reduced the deficit in the 71st minute but the Wits attacker was unable to direct his effort on goal as it sailed wide.
Tembo made his first change of the game two minutes later when he introduced Bongani Khumalo for Grant Kekana.
Hunt made his first change of the game when he replace Mbule with Jamie Webber, while SuperSport introduced Mahachi for goalscorer Grobler.
United were then awarded a penalty in the 88th minute. Gabuza stepped up and slotted the ball home cooly from the spot to extend the lead to three goals.
The visitors held on to their lead until the final whistle to join the likes of Polokwane City, Highlands Park and Mamelodi Sundowns in the semi-final stage of the competition.
