SuperSport United finally recorded their first DStv Premiership win of 2024 when they defeated Royal AM 1-0 at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Wednesday evening.
.gif)
Matsatsantsa secured the victory thanks to a late goal from substitute Bradley Grobler and broke a 10-match winless run in the league which stretched back to December last year.
They rose to fifth place on the log.
Off the bench and into the headlines ⚽💥
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 1, 2024
Bradley Grobler wins it for SuperSport Utd 🔵#DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/rl5vgwgJ1h
Thwihli Thwahla, meanwhile, have gone three matches without a win and recorded just one victory in their last six league matches.
They are 14th – one position and six points above the relegation playoff berth.
Royal were the more enterprising team in the opening quarter of the match, with Sibusiso Magaqa volleying wide of the mark from long range in the 13th minute, while Khulekani Shezi failed to direct a header on target a short while later.
SuperSport’s first hint of an attacking threat was a missed header from defender Keegan Allan at a set piece on 27 minutes, and Royal’s first shot on target came from Thabo Matlaba a couple of minutes later, but this was easily handled by United goalkeeper Ricardo Goss.
The interval arrived with the teams locked at 0-0, and the start of the second half saw Thwihli Thwahla replace the injured Maxwele Ayabulela with Khetukuthula Ndlovu.
No goals at half-time at the Harry Gwala Stadium ⚽❌
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 1, 2024
📺 Stream #DStvPrem live: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/XzLWALIyFp
Both teams struggled to find an attacking rhythm after the restart, with the next notable scoring opportunity only arriving past the hour mark, as Matsatsantsa’s Siphesihle Ndlovu dragged a shot wide of the mark.
Royal upped their intensity as the match ticked into the final 10 minutes of regulation time, with substitute Hopewell Cele firing off target from just outside the penalty area.
Yet it was SuperSport who struck a late goal to claim all three points, with substitute Bradley Grobler providing a clever turn and shot from his left foot on 87 minutes which flashed past the hand of goalkeeper Mondli Mpoto and found the back of the net.
The teams will return to DStv Premiership action next Tuesday, 7 May, with Royal hosting Cape Town Spurs and SuperSport at home to Sekhukhune United.
Royal AM 0
SuperSport United (1) 1 (Grobler 87’)
Royal: Mpoto, Shezi, Jiyane, Mabuza, Matlaba, Dlamini, Mahlasela, Magaqa (Cele 69’), Masuku (Sera 69’), Ayabulela (Ndlovu 46’), George (Machupu 89’)
SuperSport: Goss, Allan, Okon Hlatshwayo, Bhasera, Ndlovu, Moralo, Matodzi (Magidigidi 71’), Lakay, Dzvukamanja (Bezuidenhout 90+3’), Ighodaro (Grobler 63’)