SuperSport United endured a frustrating Saturday evening in the Betway Premiership, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Stellenbosch FC at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.
Matsatsantsa will feel they dropped two points from a match in which they were comfortably the more effective attacking force, but were crippled by a failure to capitalise on the chances they created.
The result leaves Stellies in fourth place on 16 points from 10 matches, while United are two places further back on the same points tally, but having played two games more than their opponents.
SuperSport looked the more progressive and confident team in the opening quarter-hour, but in the 17th minute, Stellenbosch claimed the lead, as Jayden Adams got ahead of goalkeeper Thakasani Mbanjwa and Pogiso Sanoka at the near post to nod home from Fawaaz Basadien’s excellent corner kick delivery.
Ten minutes later United missed a great chance to draw level, with Tashreeq Morris having a free header in the box, but his effort neither found the target nor teed up Bradley Grobler, who arrived late at the back post but couldn’t reach the skidding ball.
However, Morris quickly put that disappointment behind him and provided a clinical-headed finish from Vincent Pule’s cross on the half-hour mark to make it 1-1.
The hosts continued to create chances from the left flank and on 32 minutes Grobler failed to hit the target from close range, and a few moments later Ashley Cupido was gifted a one-on-one chance after a defensive mistake at the other end, but he was stymied by sharp work from Mbanjwa.
Matsatsantsa’s attack remained dangerous through the remainder of the first half and into the second, none more so than when Ghamapni Lungu went on a mazy dribble on 66 minutes before opting for a low cross rather than shooting from close range.
Further half chances for Keanin Ayer and Bilal Baloyi kept United interested in the final stages of the match, but ultimately they were forced to settle for a share of the spoils with the Cape visitors.
The teams will return to Premiership action in the New Year, with Stellenbosch away to Kaizer Chiefs on 8 January, and SuperSport visiting Sekhukhune United four days later.
SuperSport United (1) 1 (Morris 30’)
Stellenbosch FC (1) 1 (Adams 17’)
SuperSport: Mbanjwa, Mobbie, Sanoka, Baloyi, Baliti, Poggenpoel, Ayer, Lungu (Dzvukamanja 82’), Pule, Morris, Grobler (Ndlovu 68’)
Stellenbosch: Stephens, Enyinnaya, Moloisane, Mcaba, Basadien, Adams (Jurgens 87’), Palace (Butsaka 68’), Titus, Barns (Langelihle 68’), De Jong (Jabaar 80’), Cupido (Lekoloane 68’)