Absa Premiership Report: Supersport United 1-0 Free State Stars 30 January 2016

Absa Premiership

Result:  SuperSport United  1-0  Free State Stars

Date:  30 January 2016

Venue:  Lucas Moripe Stadium

A first-half strike from Kingston Nkhatha handed Supersport United a slender 1-0 victory when they hosted Free State Stars at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.

Both sides had a rather conservative approach in the early exchanges, but it would not take too long before Kingston Nkhatha assured Stuart Baxter he can still trust him upfront by slotting the opener in the 13^th minute, 1-0.

The contest was proving to be quite the physical battle as the teams exchanged some hard tackles, breaking down play in the middle of the park. This made it difficult for either side to get a clear shot at goal, and Jeremy Brockie had to try and put a tame shot through to Daouda Diakite in the 25^th minute, but the keeper was alert.

The challenges continued to fly in, and the defences were doing well to hold their defensive lines, forcing a couple of off-sides, which lead to the teams heading into the break with Aces holding a slight advantage.

The second stanza seemed to be no different as the two midfield departments had a go at each other in the middle of the park, making it difficult to get through on goal. Jeremy Brockie tested Diakite in the 55^th minute but the Stars' shot-stopper comfortably hung on.

The hosts added numbers into their attacks as they looked to extend their lead, but the men from the Free State were proving to be solid at the back. Lucky Mohomi took matters into his own hands as he delivered a shot in the 77^th minute, before coming back to test Ronwen Williams five minutes later, but the 'keeper comfortably kept the ball out.

The dying moments of the clash did not have much goalmouth action as the two midfields broke down play in the middle of the park, Supersport walking away with the victory.

Here is how they lined up:

SSU:  Williams, Boxall, September, Daniels, Mpeta, Furman, Mkhabela, Mayambela, Phala, Nkhatha, Brockie.

FS Stars:  Diakite, Mashego, Masehe, Sankara, Thlone, Chabalala, Venter, Mohomi, Nkausu, Makhaula, Jaftha.