SuperSport United secured their third win in the Absa Premiership after claiming a 2-1 victory over Chippa United at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Wednesday evening, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.
Goals from Teboho Mokoena and Evans Rusike cancelled out Kurt Lentjie’s equaliser to help Matsatsantsa claim all three points while handing the Chilli Boys their first defeat under new coach Eric Tinkler since taking over the helm of the club from Dan Malesela, who was sacked after three games in charge this season.
The win sees SuperSport move up to third place in the Absa Premiership standings with nine points from four games played so far this season, while Chippa have slumped to the bottom of the table with one point after four games.
The visitors came out with intent early on and nearly took the lead in the 12th minute, but SuperSport keeper Ronwen Williams produced a fine save to deny Lentjies’ effort.
At the other end, James Keene should have broken the deadlock moments later but guided his header inches wide of the target with Chippa goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi well beaten.
The home side eventually took the lead after 15 minutes when Mokoena calmly slotted the ball past Akpeyi.
However, the Chilli Boys managed to find an equaliser in the 26th minute after Lentjies found the back of the net with his strike, 1-1.
Grant Kekana should have given his side the lead for the second time in the game after 38 minutes, but he steered his header over the target.
However, SuperSport made no mistake five minutes from the break when Rusike beat his marker before finding the net on the rebound.
The home side managed to hold on to their 2-1 lead over Chippa as the game went into the half-time interval.
SuperSport should have extended their lead even further early in the second half, but Akpeyi came to his side’s rescue to deny Aubrey Modiba’s strike from outside the box.
Mark Mayambela had a golden opportunity to draw his side level in the 66th minute, but the Chippa playmaker’s glancing header sailed inches wide of the target.
Akpeyi came to his side’s rescue 13 minutes before time when he was forced into making a good save off Modiba’s effort from the resulting corner.
However, SuperSport managed to hold on to their 2-1 lead over Chippa United until the final whistle to claim all three points on home soil.
In other Absa Premiership results:
Kaizer Chiefs 2-2 Bloemfontein Celtic
Bidvest Wits 3-0 AmaZulu
Golden Arrows 1-1 Polokwane City
Free State Stars 2-2 Cape Town City
Baroka 1-1 Highlands Park
Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
