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SuperSport held by Aces

Mbombela - SuperSport United had to come from behind to secure a 1-1 draw with newly promoted Black Aces to remain unbeaten in the PSL in a clash played at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Sunday afternoon.
 
Mabhuti Khenyeza opened the scoring for the home side on the stroke of half-time before David Mathebula earned Matsatsantsa a point 11 minutes from time.
 
Former Orlando Pirates duo Mark Mayambela and Dennis Masina failed to make the match day squad for the home side due to injury while Abia Nale started next to former Matsatsantsa forward Mabhuti Khenyeza up front.
 
For SuperSport United Rowen Fernandez started between the sticks with Ronwen Williams dropping to the bench. The start was the former Bafana Bafana shot stoppers first league start in exactly a year.
 
Mpumalanga Black Aces looked the more threatening in the early
exchanges with Eduardo Ferreira going closest to opening the scoring in the first 20 minutes of the encounter.
 
The Brazilian centre back who found himself well positioned inside the area but could only manage to direct his header off target with Fernandez caught in no man’s land after failing to gather an Amazayoni corner-kick.
 
As the half drew on SuperSport United started to find their rhythm and went close in the 29th minute through Bradley Grobler. The former Platinum Stars striker latched onto a low cross by Thuso Phala but was brilliantly denied by Bafana Nhlapo from point-blank range.
 
Nale then went close for Amazayoni on the half hour mark, the on-loan Kazier Chiefs forward found himself through on goal but only managed to drag his resulting shot wide of goal when it looked easier to find the back of the net.
 
Controversial forward Mabhuti Khenyeza gave the home-side lead on the stroke of half-time against his former side. The striker reacted quickest inside the area, slotting the loose ball past Fernandez to give his side the lead at the break.
 
Matsatsantsa struggled to break down a well organized Aces defence in the second stanza but finally found the equalizer through David Mathebula in the 79th minute of the encounter.
 
Second half-substitute Mame Niang yet again showed his effectiveness in the area as he cleverly flicked on a long throw which was ultimately nodded in by Mathebula.
 
Both teams went all out for the winner with Mathebula coming the closest in stoppage time. The midfielder’s effort looked destined for the back of the net but only managed to trouble the upright.
 
The stalemate leaves Matsatsantsa at the summit of the PSL log while the draw moves Amazayoni up to into 10th place.
 
Scores:
SuperSport United:
(0) 1 (Mathebula 79’)
Mpumalanga Black Aces: (1) 1 (Khenyeza 45+1’)
 
Teams:
SuperSport United:
Fernandez; Nkausu, September, Diouf, Mdledle, Gyimah, Mkhabela (Lentjies 63’), Phala, Mathebula, Chenene (Doutie 46’), Grobler (Niang 65’)
 
Black Aces: Nhlapo; Mabaso, Ferreira, Mwanjale, Hendricks, Zuke, Zwane, Qalinge, Nato, Khenyeza, Nale (Tukane 74’)

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