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Cape Town - SuperSport United were pushed all the way by a brave Vasco da Gama side on Wednesday night, but the top-flight outfit ultimately emerged 2-1 victors in a Nedbank Cup last 16 tie at Athlone Stadium.
The First Division side scored first through Robbie Santo, but goals from Mark Haskins and Thabiso Nkoana salvaged the match for Matsatsantsa as they booked their place in the quarter-finals.
United were on top from the outset and had a great early chance when Atsue Nyondo found himself in on goal, but he was denied by a superb reflex save from Gershin Kock.
The Tshwane side continued to pose problems, especially through the pace of former FC Cape Town player Prince Nxumalo, who looped an early header just wide.
With 10 minutes gone the hosts had a good opportunity to score, but Ronwen Williams did well to save an attempt from George Akpabio.
Vasco took a shock lead against the run of play when long-time club servant Santo cleverly floated his free kick into the box at an angle.
With defender Francois Adams challenging for the ball, but failing to get contact on it, Williams was left in two minds as to which way the ball would go, with the free kick ultimately sneaking inside the far post.
Following the goal, the home side settled down and the game developed into a cat-and-mouse affair.
SuperSport were nonetheless able to level the scores seven minutes before the break when some neat interplay around the box ended with Haskins coolly strolling past Angel Julius before finishing with a composed shot into the bottom corner.
The second half saw the game opening up, with the visitors having a couple of early chances as Nkoana headed straight at Kock and then Jabu Maluleke flashed an effort across the goalmouth.
The winning goal came with seven minutes remaining, after a well taken effort by Nkoana, who showed strength to hold up the ball in the box before expertly turning and firing the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
The hosts fought hard in an effort to equalise, but they failed to test Williams in the closing moments of a hard-fought knockout battle.
The First Division side scored first through Robbie Santo, but goals from Mark Haskins and Thabiso Nkoana salvaged the match for Matsatsantsa as they booked their place in the quarter-finals.
United were on top from the outset and had a great early chance when Atsue Nyondo found himself in on goal, but he was denied by a superb reflex save from Gershin Kock.
The Tshwane side continued to pose problems, especially through the pace of former FC Cape Town player Prince Nxumalo, who looped an early header just wide.
With 10 minutes gone the hosts had a good opportunity to score, but Ronwen Williams did well to save an attempt from George Akpabio.
Vasco took a shock lead against the run of play when long-time club servant Santo cleverly floated his free kick into the box at an angle.
With defender Francois Adams challenging for the ball, but failing to get contact on it, Williams was left in two minds as to which way the ball would go, with the free kick ultimately sneaking inside the far post.
Following the goal, the home side settled down and the game developed into a cat-and-mouse affair.
SuperSport were nonetheless able to level the scores seven minutes before the break when some neat interplay around the box ended with Haskins coolly strolling past Angel Julius before finishing with a composed shot into the bottom corner.
The second half saw the game opening up, with the visitors having a couple of early chances as Nkoana headed straight at Kock and then Jabu Maluleke flashed an effort across the goalmouth.
The winning goal came with seven minutes remaining, after a well taken effort by Nkoana, who showed strength to hold up the ball in the box before expertly turning and firing the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
The hosts fought hard in an effort to equalise, but they failed to test Williams in the closing moments of a hard-fought knockout battle.
