SuperSport United got back to winning ways with a 3-1 victory over Royal AM, who were without coach Khabo Zondo on the touchline.
DStv Premiership
Result: SuperSport United 3-1 Royal AM
Date: 04 October 2022
Venue: Lucas Moripe Stadium
Abram Nteo took charge of the Royal AM side on the night, as club president Shauwn Mkhize revealed to SuperSport TV that Zondo stayed behind with the other players in preparation for the CAF Confederation Cup this weekend.
Gavin Hunt handed a debut to Patrick Maswanganyi, while Thamsanqa Gabuza joined Bradley Grobler in the attack as they aimed to bounce back from the loss to Kaizer Chiefs.
Grobler nearly got the breakthrough on 15 minutes after getting on the end of Onismor Bhasera's cross, but the striker's header was tipped onto the crossbar by goalkeeper Hugo Nyame.
The visitors, meanwhile, struggled to get a hold of the ball in the first half, leaving Gamildien frustrated in the attack for most of the opening 45 minutes.
For all of SuperSport's possession in the first half, they failed to fashion any more openings other than Grobler's early header that needed a strong hand from Nyame.
Hunt's men carried that dominance into the second half and got their reward just before the hour mark when Gabuza found the back of the net with a neat header.
SuperSport went close to adding a second goal with 20 minutes left on the clock but Grobler missed Maswanganyi's cross by inches, while goalkeeper Ricardo Goss was finally called into action to deny Royal AM an equaliser minutes later.
However, the visitors did get their reward with 15 minutes to go as Mfundo Thikazi bagged his second goal of the season after being set up by Menzi Masuku.
The visitors' joy did not last too long as Grant Margeman restored SuperSport's lead in the 81st minute with a powerful strike that sailed past Hyame.
SuperSport got the third goal in time added on, with Grobler getting his name on the scoresheet to wrap up the victory.
Here's how they lined up:
SuperSport United: 20. Goss, 6. Ditlhokwe, 3. Hlatshwayo, 23, Margeman, 14. Bhasera, 28. Maswanganyi, 12. Webber, 37. Johannes, 7. Grobler, 15. Ndlovu, 13. Gabuza
Subs: 1. Chigova, 25. Fleurs, 16. Mbatha, 26. Donn, 9. Rayners, 11. Ngoma, 17. Lungu, 40. Maseko, 18. Nhlapo
Royal AM: 16. Nyame, 17. Mogaila, 22. Rikhotso, 13. Manganyi, 14. Matlaba, 8. Phalane, 40. Cele, 12. Mahlasela, 7. Pelembe, 9. Macuphu, 30. Gamildien
Subs: 32. Ngcobo, 2. Msomi, 3. Nascimento, 5. Dlamini, 33. Sera, 34. Thikazi, 35. Stoffels, 42. Ncobeni, 50. Masuku
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