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Johannesburg - SuperSport United moved into the quarter-finals of the Telkom Knockout thanks to a 1-0 win over Free State Stars at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Former Ea Lla Koto star Dove Wome was the man who netted the decisive goal for Matsatsantsa, popping up in the 80th minute to settle an otherwise uninspiring game that looked destined for extra time and penalties.
The first chance of the match went the way of SuperSport in the 11th minute, as they opened up Stars’ defence and put Bradley Grobler in on goal. However, goalkeeper Ayanda Mtshali did well to narrow the angle before making a fine low save to deny the striker.
Dino Ndlovu looked full of running and tricks for United, but he should have done better in the 28th minute when he opted for a shot from a tight angle that he dragged wide of the mark; a pull-back from the by-line would have given Grobler a clear sight of goal.
Thuso Phala did much the same thing a short while later, while Stars attacker Moeketsi Sekola should have made a lot more after meeting a left-wing cross in the 38th minute, but he headed wide of the target in what was Stars’ best attacking moment of the first half.
United suffered a blow just before the break when Grobler was stretchered off the pitch with what looked to be either a knee or calf injury. Attacking midfielder David Mathebula came off the bench to take his place.
Stars made a change of their own at the start of the second half, with the anonymous Andrea Fileccia making way for Adam Abdul-Basit up front. The striker provided more of a threat in attack, but the visitors still struggled to create chances.
And Ea Lla Koto were forced into using the remainder of their substitutions well before they would have wanted to, with Angelo Kerspuy replacing the yellow-carded Paulus Masehe, while Thabo Moloi came on after an injury to Sibusiso Mthethwa – both before the three-quarter mark of regulation time.
One of SuperSport’s subs, Lebogang Manyama, almost broke the deadlock in the 77th minute, letting fly with a fearsome shot from long range, but Mtshali was equal to the task and punched the ball clear.
With just 10 minutes of regulation time to play, Dove Wome scored against his former team to put Matsatsantsa ahead. Mathebula provided a superb pass that the Togolese attacker controlled before firing a low shot past Mtshali to make it 1-0.
Former Ea Lla Koto star Dove Wome was the man who netted the decisive goal for Matsatsantsa, popping up in the 80th minute to settle an otherwise uninspiring game that looked destined for extra time and penalties.
The first chance of the match went the way of SuperSport in the 11th minute, as they opened up Stars’ defence and put Bradley Grobler in on goal. However, goalkeeper Ayanda Mtshali did well to narrow the angle before making a fine low save to deny the striker.
Dino Ndlovu looked full of running and tricks for United, but he should have done better in the 28th minute when he opted for a shot from a tight angle that he dragged wide of the mark; a pull-back from the by-line would have given Grobler a clear sight of goal.
Thuso Phala did much the same thing a short while later, while Stars attacker Moeketsi Sekola should have made a lot more after meeting a left-wing cross in the 38th minute, but he headed wide of the target in what was Stars’ best attacking moment of the first half.
United suffered a blow just before the break when Grobler was stretchered off the pitch with what looked to be either a knee or calf injury. Attacking midfielder David Mathebula came off the bench to take his place.
Stars made a change of their own at the start of the second half, with the anonymous Andrea Fileccia making way for Adam Abdul-Basit up front. The striker provided more of a threat in attack, but the visitors still struggled to create chances.
And Ea Lla Koto were forced into using the remainder of their substitutions well before they would have wanted to, with Angelo Kerspuy replacing the yellow-carded Paulus Masehe, while Thabo Moloi came on after an injury to Sibusiso Mthethwa – both before the three-quarter mark of regulation time.
One of SuperSport’s subs, Lebogang Manyama, almost broke the deadlock in the 77th minute, letting fly with a fearsome shot from long range, but Mtshali was equal to the task and punched the ball clear.
With just 10 minutes of regulation time to play, Dove Wome scored against his former team to put Matsatsantsa ahead. Mathebula provided a superb pass that the Togolese attacker controlled before firing a low shot past Mtshali to make it 1-0.
