SuperSport brush aside Baroka in Tshwane
SuperSport United maintained their unbeaten start to the 2021-22 DStv Premiership season by securing a 2-0 win over Baroka FC at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday evening.
Ghampani Lungu's brace inspired Matsatsantsa to a win which saw the Tshwane giants remain second on the league standings, but they are now just a point behind leaders, Mamelodi Sundowns, while Bakgaga Ba Mphahlele slipped down to 10th place.
Bakgaga Ba Mphahlele were under siege in the opening exchanges, with Matsatsantsa pushing for an early goal and the visitors' goal-minder Oscarine Masuluke the busier of the two goalkeepers.
The Baroka keeper came out to punch away a dangerous curling free-kick from Jamie Webber, before pulling off a good save to deny Iqraam Rayners inside the first 10 minutes of the encounter.
However, Bakgaga Ba Mphahlele did threaten when Evidence Makgopa nicked the ball off Thatayaone Ditlhokwe in the 17th minute, but he was superbly denied by keeper Ronwen Williams.
SuperSport were forced to make a change towards the halftime break after Siyabonga Nhlapo picked up an injury and he was replaced by Keenan Philips with the score 0-0 at the interval.
Lungu proved to be an inspired substitute after he was introduced prior to the start of the second half as he beat Masuluke with a composed finish to hand SuperSport a 1-0 lead in the 53rd minute.
The Zambia international then completed his brace three minutes later when hit the back of the net with a brilliant lob from inside the box to make it 2-0 to SuperSport with the Baroka defence exposed.
The hosts did not sit back after taking the lead as they surged forward, with Teboho Mokoena seeing a lot of the ball in midfield and he nearly extended Matsatsantsa's lead with three minutes left.
The long-range specialist unleashed a powerful shot which was well-saved by Masuluke to ensure that the game ended 2-0 in favour of SuperSport.
SuperSport United (0) 2 (Lungu 53', 56')
Baroka FC (0) 0
SuperSport United: Williams, Nhlapo (Webber 34'), Fleurs, Ditlhokwe, Mahachi, Webber (Lungu 46'), Donn, Mokoena (Mkhwanazi 90'), Rayners (Manziba 77'), Mbule (Rasebotja 90'), Gabuza.
Baroka FC: Masuluke, Mphahlele, Shozi, Sibiya, Farmer, Bobete, Makume, Masiya, Chauke, Monama, Makgopa.