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Pretoria - Second-half substitute Mbuyiselo Thethani has chipped in with a goal and an assist to secure a 2-2 draw for Free State Stars against SuperSport United in an Absa Premiership encounter at Lucas Moripe Stadium Wednesday evening.
First-half goals from Kingston Nkhatha and Thuso Phala seemed to have won it for Matsatsanta, but Stars fought back to secure a valuable point.
SuperSport United got off to a blistering start with Nkhatha opening his account at the club in the seventh minute. The former Kaizer Chiefs man ran onto a perfectly weighted through ball before firing past an onrushing Glenn Verbauwhede with his weaker left foot, 1-0
Provider turned scorer soon after with Phala doubling the hosts lead in the 10th minute. The Bafana Bafana winger cut in-field from the right flank before curling a left-footed shot into the corner of the net from about 25 yards, 2-0.
Ea Lla Koto went close to pulling one back six minutes later. Danny Venter skipped past a couple of SuperSport defenders, but his resulting shot lacked venom and accuracy, leaving Ronwen Williams with an easy save.
Matsatsanta kept knocking on the door and almost grabbed a third in the 22nd minute, Enocent Mkhabela heading David Mathebula's free-kick inches over the crossbar.
Chances were few and far between as the half grew to an end with SuperSport heading into the break leading 2-0.
Gordon Igesund's men, though, would've be mindful of what happened in Phuthaditjhaba earlier this season when Ea Lla Koto came from behind to win 3-2 as they discussed an impressive first half in the changing room.
Free State Stars looked a different side after the break as SuperSport sat back.
The hosts, though, would still have their chances, with David Mathebula firing his free-kick effort onto the crossbar in the 68th minute.
Ea Lla Koto found their goal through academy graduate Thethani, who hammered a thunderous effort past Williams in the 79th minute, 2-1.
The visitors pulled level 10 minutes later through Somaeb. Thethani’s superb through ball found the attacker, who chipped Williams to send the away fans into ecstasy, 2-2.
Scorers:
SuperSport United (2) 2 (Nkhatha 7', Phala 10')
Free State Stars (0) 2 (Thethani 79', Somaeb 89')
Teams:
SuperSport United: Williams, Moloi ,Khumalo, Daniels, Mkhabela, Morton ,Nel (Teyise 54') , Phala, Mathebula, Wome (Grobler 65'), Nkhatha (Chapman 81')
Free State Stars: Verbauwhede, Mashego, Cardoso, Sankara, Tlhone (Abraw 63'), Rakoti, Mdluli, Sekola (Somaeb 83'), Kerspuy, Masana (Thethani 56'), Venter
