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SuperSport United booked their place in the semifinals of the 2017 MTN8 following a 1-0 win over Kaizer Chiefs at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban last night.
An early goal from Jeremy Brockie sealing the deal for Matsatsantsa at the venue where they lifted the Nedbank Cup title but a few months ago.
For Steve Komphela and company, it was an early blow to a season which they hope will extinguish the anguish of the previous campaign.
Cape Town City caught the eye with a devastating counterattack last season, and Eric Tinkler’s stamp of approval was evident within six minutes of his first competitive game as Matsatsantsa head coach.
A move sparked from well within their own half by former Amakhosi man Reneilwe Letsholonyane, SuperSport were destructive in transition and after Bradley Grobler played in Brockie the goal-poacher made no mistake.
The New Zealand international skipping past Lorenzo Gordinho before firing into the back of the net making it 1-0 to the visitors.
Chiefs went in search of an immediate response and dominated the remainder of the half.
First, Siphiwe Tshabalala’s deflected effort cannoned off the woodwork with 23 minutes on the clock before Ronwen Williams showcased his class to keep out Bernard Parker’s rocket from the edge of the area in the 35th minute.
All their pressure in attack would pay no dividends, though, with Matsatsantsa holding a narrow 1-0 lead at the break.
SuperSport again threatened early in the half with Itumeleng Khune lucky to escape what was a nervous moment for the Bafana Bafana No 1 seven minutes after the interval. Erick Mathoho sparing his blushes – clearing Bradley Grobler’s goal-bound effort off the line after Khune had coughed up possession.
The Glamour Boys would regain their stranglehold on the game soon after, but despite relentless pressure their efforts paid no fruition.
Bernad Parker and Hendrick Ekstein would find the woodwork and not the net in the 55th and 75th minute, respectively, with SuperSport happy to sit back and absorb wave after wave of attack.
In the end, Chiefs were unlucky not to at least take the game into extra time with SuperSport doing just about enough to join Bidvest Wits and Cape Town City in the next round. – Backpage TXT
Earlier in the day, an own goal by defender Sibusiso Mbonani in the 38th minute gave Benni McCarthy his first victory as Cape Town City coach as his charges bundled Polokwane City out of the competition at the Cape Town Stadium.
On Friday, defending champions Bidvest Wits overcame a scare of going two goals behind to the visiting Lamontville Golden Arrows before pulling them back.
The home side emerged 4-3 winners after a penalty shoot-out following a 2-2 draw at the end of regular time that forced extra time and the spot kick lottery.
The MTN8 semifinal draw will take place live today after the Mamelodi Sundowns vs Maritzburg United quarterfinal match at Lucas Moripe Stadium.
It will be moderated by the PSL’s Luxolo September assisted by Mapula Bodibe from the sponsors and the league’s Professor Ronnie Schloss.
The draw procedure:
- One bowl/pot containing four balls will be used;
- The semifinals will be contested over two legs – home and away;
- There will be no seeding;
- The first club to be drawn will play at home in the first leg;
- The second club will play against the club drawn first (above), that is, away in the first leg;
- The third club drawn will be at home in the other first leg tie;
- The fourth club drawn will play away against the club drawn third (above), that is, away in the first leg. – Info from psl.com
