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Sub Phala salvages draw for Matsatsantsa

Johannesburg - Substitute Thuso Phala scored to salvage a 2-2 draw for SuperSport United against Horoya of Guinea on Friday in the opening CAF Confederation Cup group game.

It was a disappointing start to Group D for the Pretoria club, who had scored 11 goals in three home victories en route to the expanded 16-club mini-league phase.

England-born coach Stuart Baxter, who becomes South Africa boss later this month, gambled by fielding seven reserves after a domestic match three days ago.

But the fringe players were unable to stamp their authority on a cold, wet and windy night at Lucas "Masterpieces" Moripe Stadium and trailed twice.

Cameroonian Jean Francis Ebele nodded Horoya in front on 34 minutes with a looping header after SuperSport failed to clear a long throw.

United levelled five minutes later with a brilliantly struck free-kick by Keegan Ritchie, which flew over Malian goalkeeper Germain Berthe into the net.

Horoya regained the lead six minutes into the second half when Ghanaian Seyei Baffour scored with a low drive from outside the box. 

Sensing defeat, Baxter brought on the leading Confederation Cup scorer this season, five-goal Jeremy Brockie from New Zealand, and Phala.

They combined on 82 minutes to rescue the South African side with a Brockie dummy opening the defence and Phala raced through to score with a low shot.

Title-holders TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo host CF Mounana of Gabon on Sunday in the other Group D match day 1 fixture.

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