SuperSport United made it three DStv Premiership wins on the spin after they beat Maritzburg United 2-1 at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Friday night.
Gavin Hunt’s side were second-best in the opening 45 minutes, but they improved in the second half and went ahead through Thatayaone Ditlhokwe (57′) before Lucky Baloyi (58′) swiftly restored parity.
The Spartans struck again via the head of Onismor Bhasera on 73 minutes, however, to continue their resurgence in the league as they moved above the Team of Choice up to sixth place, two points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Maritzburg were looking to build on their 1-0 success against Orlando Pirates last weekend, while SuperSport hoped to keep the momentum going after claiming back-to-back wins over Richards Bay and Sundowns.
The hosts made a bright start in Pietermaritzburg and went on to dominate proceedings in the first half, with Brian Hlongwa heading an early free-kick wide of the left post in the fourth minute.
Amadou Soukouna went closer with their next chance on 10 minutes as he tested George Chigova with a header from Lucky Baloyi’s cross and the Frenchman threatened again four minutes later when his daisy-cutter flashed just wide of the left post from inside the box.
SuperSport weren’t having much luck in the final third, although Thalente Mbatha had two pops at goal from long range, with his first attempt drifting just to the right of the target on 17 minutes before he missed his mark once again in the 36th minute from a free-kick.
Tumelo Njoti was presented with two opportunities in the closing stages of the first half, drawing a save out of Chigova with a strike from range on 45 minutes after shooting wide of the right post from inside the area three minutes earlier.
There was a flurry of chances at both ends after the restart as the two teams vied for control in the second half. Bhasera steered a header wide of the right post from Iqraam Rayners’ cross on 48 minutes before Rowan Human forced Chigova into a save with a shot from inside the box four minutes later.
King Ndlovu was then called into action to keep out Thapelo Maseko’s effort from range on 56 minutes, but he was beaten just moments later as Ditlhokwe headed home a corner from close range.
However, SuperSport were pegged back within seconds when Baloyi picked out of the bottom left corner of the net with a shot from inside the area after Maritzburg launched a swift attack from the kick-off.
The Team of Choice were made to pay for slacking marking once more on 73 minutes though, as Bhasera ghosted in to head Gamphani Lungu’s cross past Ndlovu from inside the six-yard box.
Matsatsantsa survived late pressure to hold on for all three points, with Friday Samu heading a free-kick wide of the right post on 84 minutes before Chigova denied Genino Palace from range in the 86th minute.
Maritzburg United (0) 1 (Baloyi 58′)
SuperSport United (0) 2 (Ditlhokwe 57′, Bhasera 73′)
Maritzburg United:K. Ndlovu, T. Moloisane, B. Hlongwa, B. Makume, T. Monamodi (K. Ritchie 60′), L. Baloyi (L. Skelem 77′), G. Mashikinya, G. Palace, T. Njoti (F. Samu 66′), A. Soukouna, R. Human (S. Conco 66′).
SuperSport United:G. Chigova, K. Johannes, T. Hlatshwayo, T. Ditlhokwe, O. Bhasera, S. Nhlapo, T. Mbatha (A. Ngoma 68′), T. Maseko (G. Lungu 68′), G. Margeman (J. Donn 78′), B. Grobler (T. Gabuza 46′), I. Rayners (T. Sibanyoni 88′).
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