ABSA Premiership
Result: Maritzburg 0-1 SuperSport
Date: 23 October 2013
Venue: Harry Gwala Stadium
SuperSport United struck late on to secure a hard-fought 1-0 win away to Maritzburg United at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Wednesday night.
The result ensured that new Team of Choice coach Clinton Larsen got off to a losing start while Cavin Johnson’s men returned to winning ways after a slight dip in form in their recent league outings.
The game got off to a slow start but 11 minutes in Robyn Johannes lobbed the ball over before Sibusiso Khumalo earned a yellow card for a strong tackle.
Yakubu also went close in the early stages before Thuso Phala fired an effort just over the crossbar in the 18th minute.
The next good chance came from the former Platinum Stars winger once again as he got an effort on target but Shu-Aib Walters pulled off a superb save to keep the game scoreless.
Moments later Enocent Mkhabela went close with a well-time header that sailed inches wide while Yakubu ended a brilliant solo drive with a wayward strike as the deadlock remained at the break.
The game started to open up after the interval with Frank Sarfo-Gyamfi ballooning a shot over the crossbar in the 49th minute before Bradley Grobler just missed out on a cross at the other end.
Maritzburg managed to deal with David Mathebula after he was sent forward on a counter before George Maluleka's free-kick curled over the wall but couldn't beat Walters.
Matsatsantsa started to crank up the pressure in the final 15 minutes with Grobler sending a strike just over before substitute Bennett Chenene's glancing header was kept out by a brilliant save from Walters.
The opening goal finally arrived with eight minutes to go when Ryan de Jongh's block could only fall for David Mathebula who blasted home.
That proved to be the decisive moment as no more goals came in the final minute and SuperSport left with the spoils.
Maritzburg: Shu-Aib Walters, Thabang Matuka, Mohammed Awal, Robyn Johannes, Michael Morton, Ryan De Jongh, Rheece Evans, Frank Sarfo-Gyamfi, Dillon Sheppard, Thokozani Sekotlong, Yakubu.
SuperSport: Ronwen Williams, Thabo Moloi, Bevan Fransman, Mogogi Gabonamong, Sibusiso Khumalo, Enocent Mkhabela, George Maluleka, Thuso Phala, Sameehg Doutie, David Mathebula, Bradley Grobler.
Read: Starting XI: Maritzburg v SuperSport
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