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SuperSport fall to Dondol Stars at first hurdle

football08 February 2023 20:03| © Backpage TXT
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SuperSport United became the first major casualties of the Nedbank Cup after losing 2-1 to lowly Dondol Stars in the round of 32 at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Wednesday night.

Gavin Hunt named just four first-team regulars in his starting line-up and his side got off to a good start when Siyabonga Nhlapo opened the scoring in the 18th minute.

However, Relebogile Molefe equalised shortly after the restart to give the Mamelodi outfit hope and Kholofelo Monama completed the comeback win 14 minutes from time to send their more fancied local rivals packing.

SuperSport were looking to make it beyond the round of 32 for only the second time in the last six years, while Dondol Stars hoped to spring an upset in their first appearance in the Nedbank Cup proper.

The hosts went on the attack early on and Zakhele Lepasa steered a header just over the crossbar from a fifth-minute corner before Nhlapo failed to keep his long-range shot down moments later.

Vincent Rammoni and Khuliso Rashamuse's team were presented with a good opportunity soon afterwards when they were awarded a free-kick in a promising position but Tumelo Mathiane cleared the target from the dead-ball situation.

Sphamandla Gumede was called into action for the first time on 13 minutes to deny Lepasa from close range after he got on the end of Serigne Niang's pass and the on-loan Orlando Pirates striker threatened again three minutes later with a header that flew wide of the right post.

The Tshwane giants were celebrating the lead on 18 minutes though, as Nhlapo timed his run to perfection from a corner to plant his header past Gumede.

The visitors looked to respond, with Francis Baloyi directing a header just beyond the near post from a difficult angle on the right in the 22nd minute but Matsatsantsa remained in the ascendancy and Zukile Kewuti dragged a shot wide of the right post from inside the box on 29 minutes.

Gamphani Lungu nearly made an immediate impact off the bench when he forced Gumede into save with a strike from inside the area on 49 minutes but the minnows got themselves back in the contest two minutes later through Molefe.

Ricardo Goss had been nothing more than a spectator in the first half, although he was beaten at the second attempt after failing to completely deal with Molefe's initial shot.

Dondol Stars had their tails up now and Tebogo Makungo drew a routine save out of Goss with a speculative attempt from long range on 57 minutes before Sibonile Nomala gave the home goalkeeper more work do to moments later after being teed up by Tyson Patlana outside the box.

Molefe spurned a good chance to bag a second when he blasted over from inside the area on 59 minutes, while back up the other end Thabang Sibanyoni produced a sharp save out of Gumede with a header from Tendamudzimu Matodzi's cross in the 66th minute.

The momentum continued to shift as Monama beat Goss with a shot from range on 76 minutes after being set up by Tebogo Makungo and the club from the ABC Motsepe League almost scored a third goal two minutes later but Goss was on hand to save Whitehead Nameka's shot.

Substitute Aubrey Ngoma tried his luck from distance with two minutes left on the clock, only to see his shot fly inches past the left post and Thabang Sibanyoni was unable to beat Gumede from inside the box in stoppage time as Dondol Stars held on for a famous victory.

SuperSport United (1) 1 (Nhlapo 18')

Dondol Stars (0) 2 (Molefe 51', Monama 76')

SuperSport United:R. Goss, T. Mbatha, T. Gabuza, B. Baloyi, N. Rapoo (A. Ngoma 86'), J. Webber (G. Lungu 46'), S. Nhlapo, Z. Kewuti, P. Maswanganyi (T. Maseko 46'), Z. Lepasa (T. Matodzi 64'), S. Niang (T. Sibanyoni 63').

Dondol Stars:S. Gumede, K. Mabu, R. Fox, F. Baloyi, S. Nomala, K. Monama, T. Mnyembane, T. Mathiane (T. Patlana 46'), T. Mabena (W. Nameka 46'), R. Molefe (D. Ngwetjane 70',B. Makhanya 90+1'), T. Makungo.

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