Cape Town Spurs suffered an unprecedented eighth successive defeat in the DStv Premiership, with SuperSport United bagging maximum points in a 2-1 win at the Athlone Stadium on Wednesday night.
Gavin Hunt’s men were caught on the backfoot during the opening exchanges of the match, with Therlo Moosa getting his name on the scoresheet in the fifth minute.
Nevertheless, a goal in each half by Bradley Grobler saw the Tshwane-giants walk away as victors in Cape Town.
As SuperSport looked to settle on the ball early on, it was the home team who got the game off to the best possible start.
Following a swift attacking move inside the SuperSport half, Luvuyo Phewa found Therlo Moosa inside the penalty area, who headed home from close range.
After conceding the early goal, SuperSport bossed the possession count, however, the Urban Warriors looked dangerous in transitional moments.
Spurs often looked to hit the Tshwane-giants on the break with the likes of Keagan Buchanan and Moosa proving the traveling side with numerous worrisome moments.
With 20 minutes on the clock, the Urban Warriors began seeing more of the ball and looked assured when playing out from their defensive lines. Not sitting back, Matsatsantsa often went direct in search of an equaliser.
SuperSport drew level soon after the half-hour mark, as Grobler joined Moosa on the goal scorers list.
Following excellent hold-up play going forward, Grobler got on the end of a ricocheted cross as the ball looped over Sam Ramsbottom into the bottom right corner.
GROBLER DOUBLE
As the half ended, SuperSport created a couple of notable goal-scoring chances but were met by doggish defending by the home team.
The referee called time on the first 45 with the score tied at 1-1.
Goalkeeper Sam Ramsbottom was summoned into action on a couple of occasions after the restart, however, Spurs held on in warding off the SuperSport attacks.
In attempting to relieve the pressure, Spurs continued to wait for counter-attacking moments when going forward.
As the hour mark approached, the visitors continued to take the game to Spurs, especially with the direct ball into the 18-yard-area.
The striking duo of Etiosa Ighodaro and Grobler troubled the Urban Warriors backline as they actively searched for a second goal.
With the introduction of Chumani Butsaka and Ashley Cupido, the Mother City outfit provided SSU with a few nervy moments as the 75th minute approached.
In answer to Spurs’ attacking subs, Matsatsantsa summoned Tendamudzimi Matodzi and Phathutshedzo Nanga from the bench to stiffen up their midfield department.
SuperSport then took the lead five minutes from time, as Grobler got his name on the scoresheet yet again.
In catching the Urban Warriors off guard following a substitution, Dzvukamanja picked out the striker with a pin-point pass into the area, who made no mistake from close range.
Grobler’s late effort proved to be the most telling moment of the match as SSU walked away with an important victory.
A brace and a MOTM award for this man tonight!
— SuperSport United FC (@SuperSportFC) October 4, 2023
Congratulations once again, Brad! 🔵👏#MatsatsantsaUnified | #DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/5cNd6oHYe8
Cape Town Spurs: (1) 1 (Moosa 5’)
SuperSport United: (1) 2 (Grobler 34’, 85’)
Cape Town Spurs: Ramsbottom, Allie, Haukongo, Lukhubeni, Dortley, Nel, Phewa (Cupido 58’), Morton (Moroole 46’), Buchanan (Velebayi 81’), Mfecane (Butsaka 57’), Moosa (Thethani 84’)
SuperSport United: Goss, Nhlapo, Pfumbidzai, Bhasera, Okon, Lungu, Margeman, Lakay (Bezuidenhout 46’), Moralo, Grobler (Donn 91’), Ighodaro (Dzvukamanja 86’)