Absa Premiership
Result: SuperSport United 0-1 AmaZulu
Date: 31 January 2018
Venue: Lucas Moripe Stadium
SuperSport United's struggles in the Absa Premiership continued after they lost 1-0 to AmaZulu at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.
SuperSport head coach Eric Tinkler handed a debut to new signing Evans Rusike, who joined from Maritzburg United.
The SuperSport debutant carved out the game's first chance after 13 minutes when forced Siyabonga Mbatha into a fine save.
The hosts enjoyed most of the possession in the first half, although carving out clear cut chances was a problem.
There were a number of stoppages in the half, which affected the rhythm of both sides in the stanza as they went into the break goalless.
The deadlock was eventually broken in the 53rd minute courtesy of a strike from Ovidy Karuru to put the visitors ahead, 0-1.
Tinkler responded by introducing new signing Mogakolodi Ngele for Aubrey Modiba on the hour mark.
SuperSport pushed for the equaliser as the half went on, with Reneilwe Letsholonyane going close after 75 minutes.
Sipho Mbule was introduced in the closing stages and he nearly leveled matters in the 84th minute, but Mbatha was equal to the midfielder's effort.
Nevertheless, Usuthu remained resolute in the latter stages of the half to see out the game and claim a valuable victory on the road.
Here's how they lined up:
SuperSport: 1. Pieterse, 20 Kekana, 49. Gould, 4. Daniels, 2. Boateng, 16. Modiba, 8. Furman, 6. Letsholonyane, 13. Phala ,19. Nkhatha, 29. Rusike.
AmaZulu: 28. S. Mbatha,17. M. Gumede, 29. Mabiliso, 25. P. Gumede, 13. Ouro-Akoriko, 12. Dlamini, 4. Morton, 14. Mnguni, 23. Karuru, 10. Nomvethe, 2. Khenyeza.
