SuperSport United snatched a late 1-0 victory over Richards Bay in a Betway Premiership match played at the Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium on Friday night.
The win elevated Matsatsantsa up to the seventh spot in the league standings after snapping a three-match winless run. SuperSport will be looking to make it two wins in a row when they play host to Magesi FC on 14 December.
SuperSport Utd collect an all-important three points courtesy of Bradley Grobler's late strike ⚽#BetwayPrem | #SSDiski pic.twitter.com/3L2aHt4ug9
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) December 6, 2024
Richards Bay, on the other hand, remained at the bottom of the league standings after registering a fifth successive defeat across all competitions. The Natal Rich Boys will be desperate for a victory when they take on Golden Arrows away on 14 December.
The Natal Rich Boys were keen to get in behind Matsatsantsa's defence from the first minute and the hosts were awarded a penalty after Pogiso Sanoka was adjudged to have fouled the troublesome Yanela Mbuthuma inside the box four minutes after the hour mark.
However, Nkosikhona Ndaba stepped up and unleashed a tame shot from the penalty spot which was easily saved by goalkeeper Thakasani Mbanjwa. This sparked SuperSport into life as Vincent Pule's low shot was blocked on the goal-line by Keegan Allan in the 43rd minute and the score was 0-0 at halftime.
Nkosikhona Ndaba will be thinking about this penalty for a long time 😔
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) December 6, 2024
📺 Stream #BetwayPrem on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/CTaDIHBHry
The two teams struggled to create clear-cut chances after the restart and SuperSport coach Gavin Hunt decided to introduce hard-working midfielder Brooklyn Poggenpoel, and 2020-21 PSL Golden Boot winner Bradley Grobler with 15 minutes left in the game.
Grobler proved to be a super-sub as the experienced striker hit the back of the net with Siphesihle Ndlovu providing the assist after Richards Bay had failed to clear their lines with one minute left. The goal sealed SuperSport's hard-fought 1-0 victory over Richards Bay.
Richards 0
SuperSport 1 (Grobler 89')
Richards Bay: Magoola, Dube, Allan, Mcineka, Ndaba, Mthethwa, Gumede (Conco 77'), Mhlongo (Mthembu 77'), Mbuthuma, Zikhali (Bomelo 90'+2), Ndelu (Mabuya 61').
SuperSport: Mbanjwa, Mobbie, Sanoka, Okon (Lungu 61'), Baloyi, Baliti, Moralo (Poggenpoel 75'), Ndlovu, Pule (Grobler 75'), Dzvukamanja, Morris (Ayer 86').