Igesund off to winning start

Johannesburg - Gordon Igesund guided SuperSport United to a 3-1 win over Platinum Stars in his first game as head coach of the club. 

Bradley Grobler grabbed a brace, while Gift Sithole scored at either end in an action packed encounter at the Lucas 'Masterpieces' Moripe Stadium on Saturday evening. 

SuperSport United were quickest out the blocks, with Thuso Phala and Dino Ndlovu going close for the hosts in the opening exchanges. 

First Phala hit the side netting before Ndlovu blazed his attempt over the bar following a fine free-flowing move between himself and the former Dikwena winger. 

It was the visitors, though, who opened the scoring through Gift Sithole in the 17th minute. Patrick Malokase's floating free-kick found the former Golden Arrows defender, who placed his header past a stranded Ronwen Williams in the SuperSport goal. 

Matsatsantsa found the equaliser through a Sithole own goal in the 38th minute. The Stars defender, who had celebrated a goal 21 minutes earlier, was left shaking his head after he nodded a long throw from Thabo Moloi past his own keeper. 

Ngele tested Ronwen Williams’ agility after the break, with the Matsatsantsa ‘keeper doing well to get down to keep out a long range effort from the Botswana international. 

The hosts took the lead through a Grobler strike in the 57th minute. Second-half substitute Prince Nxumalo did well to hustle the ball from Platinum Stars defender before picking out his unmarked team-mate, who finished with aplomb. 

Grobler doubled SuperSport’s lead in the 77th minute. The former Ajax Cape Town marksman did well to control Lebohang Manyama's low pass before firing past Mpontshane, 3-1.  

Wome went within inches of making it four in the 83rd minute, the  Togolese midfielder's powerful effort from long range had Mpontshane beaten, but not the crossbar. 

The win moves SuperSport up to 11th spot while Dikwena remain in ninth place on the log. 

Teams:

SuperSport United

Williams; Moloi, Daniels, Teyise, Khumalo, Mokeke, Mathebula (Wome 46'), Manyama, Grobler (Pietersem 77'), Phala, Ndlovu (Nxumalo 53')

Platinum Stars

Mpontshane; Mere, Sithole, Mpeta, Semenya, Mathe, Msomi, Ngele, Tshabalala (R.Manzini 71'), Mabena, Malokase (Rodgers 77')