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Johannesburg - A missed penalty by Kermit Erasmus cost hosts SuperSport a deserved victory over Amazulu as they finished 0-0 in their Absa premiership match at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, on Wednesday evening.
The penalty should have won the game came in the 57th minute. Erasmus stepped up to take the penalty, but it wasn't to be, his shot was saved by Amazulu keeper Mbongeni Mzimela leaving the home team wondering what they would have to do to get on the scoresheet.
SuperSport showed why they are the defending champions with the number of chances they created, but their finishing was indicative of their of 12th position on the log.
With the draw they rise one position,but that will be little consolation to coach Gavin Hunt who will be furious with his team for wasting so many opportunities.
Erasmus was the main culprit of poor finishing as he spurned countless chances, but to his credit he was lively on attack and did well to find himself in those positions.
SuperSport started the game stronger and dominated territory and possession.
Amazula had to rely on scraps of possession and when they did have the ball, they didn't look interested in scoring.
Erasmus was close to scoring the opener in the 7th minute. He made a brilliant run down the middle and he tried to lob the Mzimela but his shot sailed narrowly long.
In the 22nd minute Erasmus made a good run down the left. He reeled off a powerful shot but Mzimela made a good save to keep Amazulu level.
Erasmus had another good chance in the 29th minute. He stole the ball away from the Amazulu defence and made a good run down the middle but his shot was well over the posts.
Ironically, it was Amazulu who came closest to scoring from their only real chance of the half in injury time. Amazulu striker Lehlohonolo Majoro was one-on-one with keeper Rowen Fernandez, and his shot had him beaten but the ball was cleared off the line by the defence.
Majoro hit the side netting for Amazulu straight after the break from a corner, and it looked like the visitors might pose a threat to SuperSport.
SuperSport wasted another golden opportunity in the 48th minute, this time falling to midfielder Anthony Laffor. He found space on the left side of the penalty area and he tried to drive home his shot when he should have crossed to his striker waiting unmarked in the middle.
SuperSport's persistence seemed to have paid off when they were awarded the penalty from a handball in the 57th minute but Erasmus wasn't able to convert.
The penalty proved to be the last real chance for either side as the game petered out to a tame conclusion.
