TEAM OF CHOICE LOSE OUT TO SUPERSPORT
27 November 2020
It was a tough Friday evening for Maritzburg United at the Harry Gwala as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to SuperSport United in a DStv Premiership encounter.
On a rainy night and on a slippery surface, Maritzburg gave their all and could well have taken something from the game had some key decisions not gone against them.
The first half and indeed the whole game was action packed and the home side made a good start with some positive play early on.
Maritzburg were rewarded for the early efforts when Dan Morgan won the ball in the ninth minute and played in Thabiso Kutumela. Kutumela's low shot was well saved by Ronwen Williams, but he couldn’t hold it and the loose ball fell to SuperSport defender Onismor Bhashera, whose clearance deflected off Williams and into goal.
The Team of Choice were close to doubling their lead just two minutes later when Morgan's cross located Kwanda Mngonyama, but his header went over the bar.
Instead it was Matsatsantsa who were to equalise in the 14th minute when Evans Rusike squared for Bradley Grobler, who finished with a neat chip.
Morgan was having a busy night and he came to the KZN side's rescue in the 19th minute when he did brilliantly to clear Ghampani Lungu's shot off the line.
The New Zealander also put several promising balls into the SuperSport box but it just wouldn't quite fall for the hosts in front of goal.
Thabiso Kutumela also had a shot blocked while at the other send, Sebastian Mwange made a good save from a Sipho Mbule shot before Grobler went close on the follow up, just before half time.
Seven minutes after the interval United had what looked a good shout for a penalty turned away after Jose Meza was sent tumbling.
And there was more misfortune for the Team of Choice when Judas Moseamedi had a goal ruled off-sides, although it appeared that the previous touch came off the foot of a SuperSport player.
And then moments later it got worse for the Pietermaritzburg side when Matsatsantsa went up the other end and scored through a close range finish by Grobler, with the SuperSport striker seemingly having come back from an off-side position.
Despite the setbacks, Maritzburg upped their efforts. Luck remained against them though as Moseamedi's brilliant volley on the turn was spectacularly saved by Williams, while there was another penalty for the home side turned down, this time with Keegan Buchanan involved.
Maritzburg made all the running in the closing stages of the game, but apart from a few half chances for the likes of Daylon Claasen and Mngonyama, but it just wasn't to be their night despite a big effort right up until the final whistle.
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