SuperSport United claimed back-to-back Betway Premiership wins for the first time this season after they defeated Magesi FC 1-0 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday night.
In a match which was delayed by 30 minutes to inclement weather, Matsatsantsa spurned several good chances before finally breaching the defence thanks to a late strike from penalty-box predator Bradley Grobler.
The result sees United climb to fifth place on the log on 15 points from 11 matches, while Dikwena tsa Meetse suffered a third successive loss to be bottom of the log (16th) on six points from nine matches.
SuperSport started strongly and had the ball in the back of the net via Tashreeq Morris in the 13th minute, but the forward was flagged offside.
Morris had another effort on goal on the half-hour mark, heading on target from Aphiwe Baliti’s cross, but Magesi goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze made an excellent reaction save.
Morris had a further sight of goal shortly thereafter, with a quick turn and shot in the box which saw the ball sent straight at Chipezeze.
Goalless at the break, United created the first chance of the second half seven minutes after the restart, as a slick passing move put Ghampani Lungu free down the right of the penalty area, but he skewed a shot wide from a tight angle rather than look to square for an unmarked Bradley Grobler.
Just past the hour mark Vincent Pule tried his hand from long range, and his dipping drive was destined for the back of the net until another fine save from Chipezeze.
And the keeper made another intervention 10 minutes later to turn away a second goal-bound effort from Pule.
Magesi had hardly offered an attacking threat through the game, but nearly broke the deadlock on 78 minutes when Edmore Chirambadare sent in a good cross for Tshepo Kakora, but the attacker failed to find the target with his header.
Two minutes later Matsatsantsa finally claimed the lead, as Grobler latched onto a hopeful shot into the box, turned and provided a composed finish past Chipezeze to seal a 1-0 win.
The teams will return to Premiership action later this month, with SuperSport at home to Stellenbosch FC on Saturday 28 December, and Magesi at home to Orlando Pirates the following day.
SuperSport United (0) 1 (Grobler 80’)
Magesi FC 0
SUPERSPORT: Mbanjwa, Mobbie, Sanoka, Baloyi, Baliti, Poggenpoel, Ayer Boya, Lungu (Magidigidi 78’), Pule (Moralo 86’), Morris (Dzvukamanja 65’), Grobler (Mbangossoum 86’)
MAGESI: Chipezeze, Komape, Mzava, L. Mokone, Rademeyer, Darpoh, Mekoa, Baloyi (Sekgota 83’), Kakora (Moshwana 90+2’), Chirambadare (Manzini 83’), Makhubu