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Johannesburg - Supersport United were dealt a shock defeat at the hands of Baroka, with a 1-0 loss in their Premiership clash at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
After a goalless first-half, striker Maboke Matlakala broke
the deadlock with a cool finish in the hour mark for the relegation candidates
- after some slack defending from Supersport.
Bakgaga went on to see out the game, but remain rooted to the foot of the Premiership standings, while Matsatsansa missed the chance to go top of the table.
The lead up to the fixture was dominated by the news of
Supersport United head coach Stuart Baxter, who's been allowed to enter
contract negotiations with the South African Football Association - for the
vacant Bafana Bafana job.
A win for the home side would've extended their unbeaten run
to 20-games, which would have set a new league record. And despite boasting
superior possession and the bulk of the chances - the two sides went into the
break goalless.
Kingston Nkhatha was guilty of spurning numerous chances
with the first in the opening 15 minutes; as he drilled the ball across the
face of goal after Jeremey Brockie set him up in the 18-yard area.
Supersport goalkeeper Rieyaad Pieterse pulled off a
brilliant save to deny Mxolisi Kunene before the half-time whistle, with one of
the rare chances for the visitors.
Five minutes into the second-half, Oscarine Masuluke pulled
of an incredible reflex save to deny Nkhatha's low shot from close range, which
proved invaluable as Maboke Matlakala broke the deadlock shortly after.
It was some nervy defending from Baxter's charges that was duly punished by the Premiership strugglers, as Maboke Matlakala showed some real composure to slot the ball beyond Pieterse.
Masuluke was at hand with a couple of crucial saves in the
last few minutes of the encounter as Kgoloko Thobejane secured their first win
in 15 games.
