SuperSport United 2-1 Kaizer Chiefs: Matsatsantsa punish wasteful Amakhosi

SuperSport United secured a rugged 2-1 win over Kaizer Chiefs in a Premier Soccer League match which was played at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Tuesday night, with Itumeleng Khune again at fault in a poor Amakhosi display.

Bradley Grobler and Sipho Mbule both scored to hand Matsatsantsa a two-goal lead before Lebogang Manyama netted what proved to be a consolation goal for Amakhosi.

Matsatsantsa were a well-rested side as they were inactive for three weeks before this fixture, and they were looking to secure their second successive win having edged out Maritzburg United 2-1 in their last match.

Coach Kaitano Tembo made five changes to the team which took on Maritzburg with Kudakwashe Mahachi and Siyabonga Nhlapo among the players who were making their return to the starting line-up.

Meanwhile, Amakhosi, who were playing their fourth game in just over two weeks, were desperate to snap their four-match winless run in the league following their 2-2 draw with Black Leopards in their previous game.

Tembo's former boss, Gavin Hunt made one change to the Chiefs starting line-up which faced Leopards with Siyabonga Ngezana replacing fellow defender Kgotso Moleko in the team.

Chiefs saw most of the ball in the opening exchanges with Njabulo Blom pulling the strings in midfield and they were able to create half-chances.

Blom ran on to a loose ball in the box and unleashed a shot which was blocked by the hosts' defence, before Lebogang Manyama fired over the crossbar after being set up by Philani Zulu.

Manyama looked the likeliest Amakhosi player to score, but he could not keep his shots on target as he placed his attempts over the crossbar without testing Ronwen Williams in the SuperSport goal.

With Matsatsantsa defending too deep, Leonardo Castro and Manyama both unleashed long-range shots which were well-saved by Bafana Bafana international Williams.

However, Chiefs keeper Khune committed a mistake as his poor pass was intercepted by Ghamphani Lungu, who then found Sipho Mbule, before Bradley Grobler finished off a quick move with a well-taken goal to make it 1-0 to SuperSport on the stroke of half-time.

It was Khune's second costly mistake in as many matches having also given away possession against Leopards and he was punished by Ovidy Karuru.

The momentum was with SuperSport after the restart and Lungu forced Khune into a decent save at the near-post as the home side pushed for their second goal of the match.

The Tshwane giants did double their lead when Grobler was sent through on goal down the left-hand side and he set-up Mbule, who beat Khune with a powerful low shot to make it 2-0 to SuperSport in the 53rd minute.

Hunt then made a change as he introduced Dumisani Zuma and Chiefs took control of the match, with Nkosingiphile Ngcobo hitting the crossbar with a curling effort from a free-kick.

The ball then fell kindly for Zuma in the box, but the former Bloemfontein Celtic attacker placed his effort over the crossbar from close range as the Soweto giants looked to pull one back.

However, things went from bad to worse when Zulu was sent off after making a reckless challenge on Lungu, and Chiefs were reduced to 10 players just after the hour-mark.

Amakhosi continued to attack despite being numerically disadvantaged, but they were awarded a penalty after Zuma was fouled in the box by Luke Fleurs.

Manyama then stepped up and beat his Bafana teammate Williams from the spot to make it 2-1 with a minute left. 

Hunt's men pushed for a late equalizing goal, and the last chance of the game fell for Erick Mathoho in stoppage time. However, his effort was bravely blocked by Onismor Bhasera at the near-post and ultimately, the match ended in a 2-1 win in favour of SuperSport.

Chiefs remained 12th on the league standings - two points above the relegation zone on the league - while SuperSport climbed up to the fourth.

Both teams will be in action in the league on Saturday, with Chiefs taking on Bloemfontein Celtic, while SuperSport lock horns with Baroka.