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Johannesburg - Bradley Grobler scored the all-important goal as SuperSport United were crowned this season's MTN8 champions after a 1-0 victory over Highlands Park at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
Grobler netted the only goal of the game on the stroke of half-time as Matsatsantsa won the MTN8 trophy for the second time in three seasons.
It was the first title as a head coach for Supersport's Kaitano Tembo and in the same tournament he won as player with the Tshwane club in 2004.
The game started at a good pace with Highlands Park creating the first goal-scoring opportunity as early as the fourth minute when Supersport goalkeeper Ronwen Williams pulled off a good save from Mothobi Mvala.
Supersport then had a chance of their won as Clayton Daniels poked the ball after free-kick was swung in from the right hand side.
The Lions of the North came into the contest as underdogs but gave as good as they got in the opening exchanges with Peter Shalulile sending an acrobatic attempt over the Williams' cross-bar on the half-hour mark.
Just as it seemed the game will remain goalless until half-time break, the Highlands defence switched off and Grobler headed in Teboho Mokoena's cross to give his team the lead.
The Lions of the North should have equalised six minutes after the interval but Spiwe Msimango headed against the post from three yards out while looking into an empty net.
While they escaped that close shave, Matsatsantsa were always a threat on the counter-attack as Highlands were forced to push men forward.
Grobler stabbed an effort wide from inside the box after being set up by Thamsanqa Gabuza.
The Lions of the North brought on striker Tendai Ndoro with 20 minutes remaining as one last throw of the dice and the sub almost paid dividends as the forward went just wide of Williams' goal with a long-range shot in the 79th minute.
The Supersport United defence seemed to have control of the Highlands attack and held out until the end to claim the MTN8 honours for the 2019/2020 season.
-TeamTalk Media
