SUPERSPORT CLAIM MTN8 FINAL BERTH
SuperSport United have booked their place in the final of the 2018 MTN8 after they defeated Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 at the FNB Stadium on Saturday night.
Bradley Grobler scored yet another goal against the Amakhosi to seal a 3-2 aggregate win for Matsatsantsa, who are looking to defend their title, while the Soweto giants suffer yet more disappointment in what is turning into a nightmare season.
SuperSport created the first clear scoring chance of the match in the 15th minute, with a free kick from Aubrey Modiba picking out Clayton Daniels – he directed a header toward goal but was unlucky to see the ball hit the outside of the near post.
Just over 10 minutes later United threatened again, with Chiefs needing Willard Katsande to make a vital clearance under pressure, before Evans Rusike struck a shot straight at goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune.
The Amakhosi struggled to get their passing game going through the first 45 minutes, meaning visiting goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was rarely called into action. The hosts’ best attack arrived just before the interval when a swift counter attack ended with Katsande sending a shot from the edge of the box just wide.
Bradley Grobler, who had been relatively quiet through the first half, came out of nowhere to open the scoring 13 minutes into the second. United won the ball in midfield and Reneilwe Letsholonyane did great work down the left channel to tee up the striker to hammer home a shot for his third goal of the tie.
Chiefs should have equalised in the 64th minute but they were denied by a brilliant double save from Williams. First he half-stopped a low shot from Ramahlwe Mphahlele, before quickly recovering to dive at the feet of Katsande when it appeared the Zimbabwean had an easy tap-in.
The Amakhosi had further good chances for Leonardo Castro and Siphelele Ntshangase, who both failed to hit the target, and they were unable to find a way back into the contest, leaving their fans to taste yet more disappointment early in the 2018/19 season.
SuperSport will face either Mamelodi Sundowns or Cape Town City in the final. The pair will meet for the return leg of their semi on Sunday afternoon in Tshwane.
Kaizer Chiefs 0
SuperSport United 1
Grobler 58’
SuperSport won 3-2 on aggregate
Chiefs: Khune, Mphahlele, Ngezana, Walusimbi (Parker 88’), Hadebe, Meyiwa (Malope 70’), Katsande, Ntshangase, Billiat, Castro (Moon 80’), Zuma
SuperSport: Williams, Kekana, Khumalo, Daniels, Modiba, Phala (Lakay 71’), Furman, Letsholonyane, Mokoena (Gould 88’), Rusike (Keene 85’), Grobler
