Absa Premiership
Result: SuperSport United 2-0 Bidvest Wits
Date: 29 February 2020
Venue: Lucas Moripe Stadium
SuperSport United moved two points behind third-place Orlando Pirates with a 2-0 victory over Bidvest Wits on Saturday evening.
Matsatsantsa made only two changes, as Aubrey Modiba returned and Democratic Republic of Congo midfielder Guily Manziba was handed his debut while Sifiso Hlanti and Haashim Domingo were recalled for the Clever Boys.
Elias Pelembe came close to giving the Clever Boys an early lead in the 12th minute after turning and twisting past two United players to have a sight at goal but his shot missed wide.
Kaitano Tembo's charges got into their rhythm after that as Teboho Mokoena eventually opened the scoring in the 33rd minute with a simple finish into a gaping net from Onismor Bhasera's cut-back.
Wits did not show a sense of urgency to get back into the game in the closing phase of the first stanza and SuperSport defended their lead to head to the break with their tails up.
However, Gavin Hunt's troops came back fired up from the break and had a chance to level matters just before the hour-mark after Deon Hotto went clear on goal, but his shot was saved by United goalkeeper Ronwen Williams in a one-on-one situation.
Hotto had another chance to equaliser for Wits with a free-kick in the last 20 minutes but Williams produced another top save to deny the Namibian.
The Bafana Bafana shot-stopper kept Matsatsantsa in the game once more with 13 minutes left after parrying substitute Kgaogelo Sekgota's dipping strike over the bar from Hlanti's cross.
However, Wits shot themselves in the foot in the last two minutes after Hlanti brought down Manziba inside the box attempting to dribble at the back and SuperSport were awarded a penalty, which Grobler converted to seal three points for the home side.
The win sees United reclaim fourth place from Maritzburg United, three points clear of sixth placed Wits.
Here's how they lined up:
SuperSport: 30. Williams, 14. Bhasera, Ditlhokwe, 4. Daniels, 20. Kekana, 8. Furman, 28. Mokoena, 24. Mbule, 16. Modiba, Manziba, 7 .Grobler.
Subs: 33. Pule, 18. Nhlapo, 23. Fleurs, 26. Donn, Waiswa,17. Lungu, 13. Gaubza
Wits: 1. Petersen, 13. Hlanti, 15. Mkhwanazi, 3. Hlatshwayo, 26. Gordinho, 35. Phiri, 8. Monare, 14. Nange, 10. Domingo, 11. Hotto, 7. Pelembe
Subs: 23. Goss, 17. Alexander, 24. Macheke, 35. Ritchie, 28. Macuphu, 37. Dzvukamanja, 36. Sekgota
