SuperSport United have claimed the MTN8 title for 2019 after defeating Highlands Park 1-0 in the final played at Orlando Stadium on Saturday evening.
Matsatsantsa have claimed their third Top Eight Cup title and a second in the past three seasons (they were also runners-up last year) thanks to a goal from Bradley Grobler late in the first half. The Lions of the North had great chances early in each stanza, but a failure to convert cost them a chance at their first major trophy in the PSL.
Highlands nearly claimed the lead in just the fourth minute, with Mokete Mogaila providing a low cross from the right which was redirected on target by Mothobi Mvala, only for Ronwen Williams to make a sharp save.
Highlands generally looked the more creative team through the first half and in the 27th minute they threatened again, with the in-form Peter Shalulile shooting off target with an acrobatic scissor-kick effort from Marks Munyai’s cross.
Yet the Tembisa-based side also suffered an injury blow when Lesenya Ramoraka limped off on the half-hour mark, prompting the introduction of Wayde Jooste off the bench.
SuperSport created relatively little in attack, but still managed to break the deadlock on the stroke of halftime. Teboho Mokoena provided a teasing cross from the right and Bradley Grobler timed his run perfectly to head home and ensure the Tshwane team held the ascendancy at the interval.
The Lions of the North were so close to levelling the game five minutes after the restart, as a cross from the right evaded everyone through the penalty area and fell for Spiwe Msimango at the far post, but the attacker only managed to hit the woodwork from point-blank range.
Highlands introduced Tendai Ndoro off the bench midway through the second half in an effort to boost their attack, and the Zimbabwean striker very nearly levelled the game with a long-range effort which flashed just wide of Williams’ right-hand post in the 79th minute.
However, that was to be as close as Highlands came to an equaliser, leaving SuperSport to lift the piece of silverware in the 2019/20 domestic season, while the Lions of the North can reflect on a fine achievement and look to build toward future success.
Highlands Park 0SuperSport United (1) 1 (Grobler 45+1’)
Highlands: Ngobeni, Mokoena (Letsholonyane 79’), Munyai, Msimango, Rae, Ramoraka (Jooste 30’), Mahlangu, Mbatha, Shalulile, Mvala, Mogaila (Ndoro 67’)
SuperSport: Williams, Nhlapo, Daniels, Kekana, Modiba, Rusike, Furman, Mokoena, Mbule (Webber 82’), Gabuza (Khumalo 90+4’), Grobler© Backpage TXT
STORY SOURCED FROM THE PSL WEBSITE
