Sekhukhune United thumped 10-man SuperSport United 3-0 in a Betway Premiership match at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday evening.
A second-half hat-trick from Andy Boyeli secured the victory for Babina Noko, who have now taken 13 of the last 15 points up for grabs and climbed to third place on the log.
As for Matsatsantsa, this result ends a three-game unbeaten run and they are placed 10th on the standings.
Neither team was able to establish dominance through the first half, though SuperSport had more efforts on goal and were the more pro-active outfit on a slick surface.
United’s first notable chance arrived midway through the first half when Tashreeq Morris was able to squeeze a shot through the defence, only for Badra Ali Sangare to make a comfortable save.
The hosts threatened again on 39 minutes when defender Eric Mbangossoum got on the end of a corner kick but was unable to steer a stabbed effort on target.
Sekhukhune’s attack had little influence on the game, with the likes of Keletso Makgalwa and Andy Boyeli living off scraps on the counter attack.
And the visitors looked to bolster their forward options at the start of the second half, with Linda Mntambo introduced off the bench.
The substitute made a quick impact, winning the ball in midfield and allowing Vuyo Letlapa to drive forward in the 50th minute before setting up Boyeli, who calmly finished from the middle of the penalty area to put Babina Noko 1-0 up.
And four minutes later Matsatsantsa went from a goal down to also being a man down, as Morris was shown a straight red card for a reckless and dangerous tackle on Relebogile Mokhuoane on the sideline between the dugouts.
On 58 minutes Sekhukhune took full advantage of their extra player, with Letlapa and Boyeli combining for a goal again: the former cut a low cross back from the left by-line and the latter provided a skilful, flicked finish with the inside of his back foot to make it 2-0.
Further hurt arrived for the hosts on 74 minutes, with goalkeeper Thakasani Mbanjwa somewhat harshly penalised for a challenge with substitute Vuzumuzi Mncube in the 18-yard area. Boyeli converted from 12 yards to complete his first hat-trick in the Betway Premiership, and wrap up the scoring for the day.
The teams will return to Betway Premiership action next weekend, with SuperSport at home to Polokwane City on Friday, and Sekhukhune away to Kaizer Chiefs on Sunday.
SuperSport United 0
Sekhukhune United (0) 3 (Boyeli 50’ 58’ 74’)
SUPERSPORT: Mbanjwa, Mobbie, Mbangossoum, Sanoka (Baloyi 61’), Baliti (Rapoo 61’), Ndlovu, Poggenpoel, Lungu (Dzvukamanja 61’), Pule (Magidigidi 77’), Morris, Nurkovic
SEKHUKHUNE: Sangare, Mkhabela, Cardoso, Yamba (Mohamme 81’), Letlapa, Mkhize (Monare 76’), Mokhuoane, Sithole (Mntambo 46’), Makgalwa (Rammala 73’), Otladisa (Mncube 73’), Boyeli