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Cape Town - SuperSport United coach Kaitano Tembo is happy with his side's steady improvement following their penalty shootout win over Orlando Pirates in Saturday's MTN8 quarter-final.
Augustine Mulenga put Pirates ahead in the 15th minute, but SuperSport equalised through Dean Furman in the 34th before Evans Rusike put them in front in the 48th.
Gladwin Shitolo equalised in the 60th and Thamsanqa Gabuza won Pirates a penalty in extra-time which looked set to be decisive, but Ronwen Williams first saved that spot-kick and then proved the hero in the ensuing penalty shootout, which Matsatsantsa won 4-3.
"I'm really proud of the guys. I think they left everything out there. It wasn't an easy game. Pirates controlled most of the possession," Tembo told SuperSport after the game.
"But we also tried to control where we wanted to have the ball and when we got to certain areas, we were putting pressure on them to try and get them on the transition.
"I think we had a couple of breaks where we could've done better in terms of decision-making, choosing the right options as well. But I'm happy with the performance. I'm proud of the guys.
"I think we're improving gradually, which is key because we've just come off pre-season and this is our third game in seven days and we played one 120 minutes.
"So, it's not easy, but I'm happy; I'm proud of the guys."
SuperSport began their season with a 2-0 defeat to Cape Town City. However, having recovered with a 1-0 win over AmaZulu on Wednesday, they have now picked up their second consecutive victory.
They will look to carry their momentum forward as they prepare to face Bidvest Wits in the Premiership on Saturday at Bidvest Stadium.
