Absa Premiership
Result: Maritzburg United 0-2 SuperSport United
Date: 27 November 2019
Venue: Harry Gwala Stadium
SuperSport United moved to within a point of Mamelodi Sundowns after defeating Telkom Knockout finalists Maritzburg United on Wednesday night.
Judas Moseamedi maintained his spot upfront following the weekend's brace against Kaizer Chiefs as Jeremy Brockie and Thabiso Kutumela started on the bench.
It was the visitors who looked threatening from the onset and it was no surprise when they broke the deadlock on 12 minutes as Kudakwashe Mahachi sent a neat strike into the corner from close range.
Maritzburg did manage to carve out a couple openings on the counter-attack as Bandile Shandu and Micah Lea'alafa went close with strikes from just outsde the box before the 30-minute mark.
Eric Tinkler's men took control in the latter stages of the half but found it tough to break down a SuperSport defence that was well-marshalled by Clatyon Daniels.
SuperSport shot-stopper Williams was called into action ten minutes into the second half as he produced a fine save to keep out Moseamedi's effort as the home side upped the tempo.
Another chance fell for the home side after 68 minutes when Pogiso Sanoka's cross found Mxolisi Kunene, who could only steer his header over the crossbar from close range.
Moments later, Tinkler had re-shuffled his pack as on-loan Mamelodi Sundowns striker Brockie replaced countryman Dan Morgan for the 20 minutes.
However, it was SuperSport who got the next goal as Sipho Mbule bagged his second goal in as many games with a neat finish into the bottom corner to seal the win for the MTN8 champions.
Here's how they lined up:
Maritzburg: 31. Ofori, 36. Kunene, 5. Morgan, 23. De Reuck, 4. Allie, 3. Sanoka, 26. Shandu, 15. Timm, 14. Claasen, Lea'Alafa, 19. Moseamedi.
Subs: 30. Mpandle, 45. Mngonyama, 11. Jappie, 29. Mekoa, 10. Brockie, 7. Kutumela, 26. Sangweni.
SuperSport: 30. Williams, 14. Bhasera, 18. Nhlapo, 23. Fleurs, 4. Daniels, 8. Furman, 24. Mbule, 13. Gabuza, 12. Webber, 11. Mahachi, 16. Modiba
Subs: 33. Pule, 20. Kekana, 3. Khumalo, Appollis, Le Roux, 28. Mokoena, 23. Mnyamane.
