SuperSport United go top
SuperSport United moved back to the top of the Absa Premiership table following a 1-0 win over Tshwane rivals the University of Pretoria at Tuks Stadium on Wednesday evening.
George Maluleka’s first half goal proved to be the difference between the two sides on the day.
AmaTuks winter acquisition Grant Kekana started against his former employers while Mame Niang who rejoined Matsatsantsa in the transfer window returned to the stadium where he enjoyed reasonable success last season.
Bafana Bafana centre back Buhle Mkhwanazi didn’t make the match day squad for the hosts while Latshene Phalane, who is on-loan at Tuks from Platinum Stars, was included in the starting 11.
Bennett Chenene, who was ruled out of the fixture earlier this week, passed a late fitness test to make the match day squad.
AmaTuks nearly got off to the perfect start through Mpho Maruping, but the midfielder could only manage to trouble the crossbar with a powerful header from close range in the fourth minute.
The midfielder then forced Ronwen Williams into a good save two minutes later following a powerful hit shot from long range.
SuperSport United started to find their rhythm as the half wore on, finding holes in the AmaTuks defence. Poor first touches from Thuso Phala and Mame Niang though let the duo down in quick succession when they were in acres of space and seemed to have a clear path at goal.
George Maluleka fired SuperSport United into the lead in the 26th minute of the match. The Matsatsantsa midfielder found himself unmarked just inside the area before unleashing an unstoppable shot past Washington Arubi from an acute angle, 1-0.
Obadiah Tarumbwa and Mpho Matsi nearly found the equaliser for Tuks on the half hour mark. First the Zimbabwean almost punished a sleeping SuperSport defence before Matsi’s acrobatic volley from range narrowly missed the target.
Obadiah Tarumbwa found the back of the net on the stroke of halftime with a superbly placed header. The goal, though, was chalked off, as the referee adjudged the Zimbabwean of fouling a SuperSport player in the build-up to the goal.
George Maluleka’s 26th minute strike was the difference between the two sides at the break.
Both teams were limited to half chances throughout the second stanza, with both side’s defences holding firm.
Steve Barker brought on Fikru Lemessa and Thabo Mosadi in the final 15 minutes of the game as he went all out in search of the equaliser.
The substitution almost immediately reaped a reward as Mosadi drew a fine save from Williams who did well to guide a powerful shot away from danger.
Tuks threw everything forward in search of the equaliser but came up short in their attempts.
The loss leaves them lingering in the relegation zone while the win moves Matsatsantsa back to the summit of the PSL table.
University of Pretoria: (0) 0
SuperSport United (1) 0 (Maluleka 26’)
Teams:
University of Pretoria: Arubi; Moussono-Moussono, Shoyisa, Monyai, Kekana, Phalane, Matsi, Maruping (Selolwane 81’), Ngubane, Mathosi (Mosadi 72’), Tarumbwa (Lemessa 75’)
SuperSport United: Williams; Moeketsi, September, Diouf, Nkausu, Maluleka, Gyimah, Lentjies (Mathebula 60’), Chenene (Mkhabela 75’), Phala, Niang (Grobler 87’)