Bradley Grobler brought up a special milestone after scoring in SuperSport United's 2-0 win over Maritzburg United on Friday night.
DStv Premiership
Result: SuperSport United 2-0 Maritzburg United
Date: 24 February 2023
Venue: Lucas Moripe Stadium
SuperSport made two changes to the side that drew with Royal AM, as Orlando Pirates loanee Zakhele Lepasa dropped to the bench while Siphosihle Ndlovu, with Thamsanqa Gabuza and Jamie Webber getting starts.
Maritzburg, meanwhile, also switched two places from their loss to Orlando Pirates as Bonginkosi Makume and Karim Kimvuidi were recalled.
The Team of Choice set up their stall deep in their own half but they had the first real chance on nine minutes after Wayde Jooste unleashed a cracking free-kick from range that was parried away by goalkeeper Ricardo Goss, who denied Kimvuidi on the rebound.
Matsatsantsa looked more dangerous going forward after that, with Thapelo Maseko and Patrick Maswanganyi a handful for the Maritzburg defence on either wing but their final balls were not connecting with Grobler and Gabuza.
Gavin Hunt's charges remained on the front foot and had a good chance just before the interval after Grobler went through on goal and was searching for the run of Gabuza on the blind-side but left-back Bradley Cross made a crucial interception to deny the former Pirates striker a one-on-one with shot-stopper Renaldo Leaner.
Fadlu Davids' men were more lively coming from the interval, especially Jooste down the left wing and the visitors almost broke the deadlock on the hour-mark through a close-range header by Friday Samu at the back post that was smothered by Goss.
Hunt looked for solutions in attack from the bench five minutes later, as he brought on Gamphani Lungu in place of Gabuza for a different approach.
Lungu made an immediate impact for SuperSport with dangerous crosses in the area and Kegan Johannes broke the ice for the hosts four minutes later with a header after the Zambian winger's corner caused all sorts of problems.
Matsatsantsa kept the same energy going forward and were awarded a penalty 11 minutes before time after Jooste shoved Maseko down in the box.
Grobler stepped up and saw his spot-kick saved by Leaner but he was able to volley home the rebound for his 100th goal in South African football and nine of the current campaign.
Goss pulled off an acrobatic save in stoppage time to deny Amadou Soukouna a consolation goal for Maritzburg from a set-piece as Matsatsantsa pulled five points clear in second position on the log.
Here's how they lined up:
SuperSport United: 20. Goss, 6. Ditlhokwe, 28. Maswanganyi, 3. Hlatshwayo, 27. Johannes, 23. Margeman, 14. Bhasera, 40. Maseko, 12. Webber, 7. Grobler, 13. Gabuza
Subs: 1. Chigova, 18. Nhlapo, 11. Ngoma, 4. Kewuti, 10. Lepasa, 10. Sibanyoni, 17. Lungu, 29. Niang, 16. Mbatha
Maritzburg United: 1. Learner, 5. Makume, 3. De Goede, 28. Palace, 2. Cross, 10. Human, 23. Moloisane, 45. Jooste, 12. Njoti, 26. Kimvuidi, 46. Peprah
Subs: 31. Ndlovu, 27. Ndengane, 20. Samu, 14. Meza, 24. Bhengu, 36. Zuma, 11. Soukouna, 22. Theron, 17. Conco
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