SuperSport United outclassed Richards Bay 3-1 at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday afternoon to advance into the last eight of the 2023-24 Nedbank Cup.
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Matsatsantsa’s teenage star Shandre Campbell proved the difference between the teams, scoring two goals in the first half to tee up their triumph over the Natal Rich Boys. It was also some sweet revenge for the team from Tshwane, who were humbled 1-3 in the DStv Premiership by Bay when the clubs last met in late 2023.
SuperSport claimed the lead as early as the sixth minute, as Campbell found the back of the net directly from a free kick. The 18-year-old’s left-footed strike was a sweet one through a crowded penalty area, but Bay goalkeeper Salim Magoola was undone by an awkward, skidding bounce and will feel he should have done better.
Magoola redeemed himself in the 10th minute, making an excellent save to deny Terrence Dzukamanja at close range after United had cut open the hosts’ defence with alarming ease.
Bay quickly responded with a fine chance of their own, as Somila Ntsundwana latched onto a cross from the left and directed an effort goal-wards, but SuperSport keeper Ricardo Goss made a sharp save at his near post.
The match settled into a scrappy rhythm thereafter, with the next threat on goal only arriving on 35 minutes when an attempted headed clearance from SuperSport’s Onismor Bhasera almost looped into his own net.
In the 40th minute, the hosts were awarded a somewhat soft penalty after Ntsundwana tumbled under light contact from Ime Okon. Justice Figuareido took the spot kick, but saw his effort well saved by Goss.
And United quickly capitalised on their goalkeeper’s heroics, doubling their lead in the 44th minute, as a cross from the right flank fell perfectly for Campbell, who finished with a classy and composed volley to make it 2-0.
The Natal Rich Boyz made a quadruple change at the start of the second half, sending on Yanela Mbuthuma, Langelihle Mhlongo, Moses Mthembu and Sibusiso Mthethwa.
Yet it was Matsatsantsa who almost added to their lead on 51 minutes when Campbell’s cross from a free-kick found the head of Okon, but the tall defender couldn’t direct his effort on target.
Midway through the second half, Bay were inches away from pulling a goal back, as Simphiwe Mcineka got on the end of Sanele Barns’ cross and glanced a header onto the upright.
The KwaZulu-Natal team kept up the attacking pressure through the remainder of the game and were rewarded with a goal in the 85th minute: a free-kick delivered into the box was glanced onto the post, but the rebound fell for Sibusiso Mthethwa, who stabbed home a low shot to set up a tense finale.
However, Matsatsantsa were able to hold firm in defence and took advantage of Bay throwing everyone forward – including the goalkeeper – for an injury-time corner, as they scored on a breakaway via Ghampani Lungu to make it 3-1.
The teams will return to action in the DStv Premiership in late March and early April – Bay will face Golden Arrows away on 31 March, while SuperSport’s next match is also visiting Arrows on 3 April.
Richards Bay 1 (Mthethwa 85’)
SuperSport United 3 (Campbell 6’ 44’, Lungu 90+5’)
Bay: Magoola, Mabuya, Mabua, Dube (Mthethwa 46’), Mcineka, Malepe (Mthembu 46’), Figuareido (Mhlongo 46’), Dlamini (Mohlamme 71’), Ntsundwana (Mbuthuma 46’), Barns, Gumede
SuperSport: Goss, Moralo, Hlatshwayo, Okon, Bhasera (Nange 87’), Matodzi (Baloyi 87’), Ndlovu (Lakay 70’), Margeman, Campbell (Muthewi 78’), Lungu, Dzvukamanja (Magidigidi 87’)