SuperSport United struck late in the second half to secure a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Moroka Swallows in the DStv Premiership on Friday afternoon.
Siphesihle Ndlovu returned from injury to headline United's eleven with Onismor Bhasera, Grant Margeman, Gape Moralo and Bradley Grobler restored too, while Bongani Sam, Sipho Sibiya, Andile Jali, Lantshane Phalane and Tshegofatso Mabasa were back for the hosts.
Shandre Campbell was eager to get the visitors running through clever bit of foot-work to pick out Grobler, but Swallows goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi was on hand to parry.
Swallows attempted to narrow the overload of chances through smart penetrations of their own by captain Jali, Tshegofatso Mabaso and Dumisani Zuma particularly though Ricardo Goss got behind it.
It became pretty even past the half-hour mark as the chances at either end were reduced to a premium with defensive solidity from the likes of Ime Okon and Vusi Sibiya rising forth.
Thus, the first half concluded goalless despite the bright bit of moments from both outfits whenever on the attack as well as in possession.
Matsatsantsa were under intense pressure early in the second half and needed solid goalkeeping from Goss to keep them in contention to salvage something in the end.
However, the momentum remained balanced as the Tshwane side looked to open up at the other end with neat footwork and cross to the box but Akpeyi courted smartly.
Swallows went ahead during the course of the second period when Malawian Gabadinho Mhango made good use of a free-kick and curled into the top corner for his second league goal of the season.
The opener came just after the Dube Birds decided to remove captain and veteran ace Jali to bring on another long-serving figure in the league Wandisile Letlabika.
Matsatsantsa didn't lose their heads but bagged the equaliser with four minutes to play through a diving header from Tendamudzimu Mudau.
That fired up the Tshwane boys who went and grabbed the winner in the last minute after Zimbabwean Etiosa Ighodaro latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the area to finish with aplomb.
Swallows weren't able to stage a comeback and suffered a third successive defeat, as United leapfrogged Cape Town City to second spot.
Confirmed line-ups:
Moroka Swallows: Akpeyi, Sam, Phillips, S. Sibiya, V. Sibiya, Jali, Patjie, Zuma, Phalane, Mabasa, Malinga
Subs: Mbanjwa, Letlabika, Allan, Maponya, Tshanini, Mthethwa, O.Khumalo, Mangweni, Mhango
SuperSport United: Goss, Bhasera, Okon, Margeman, Ndlovu, Campbell, Johannes, Lakay, Lungu, Moralo, Grobler
Subs: Arubi, Albert, Baloyi, Rasebotja, Donn, Matodzi, Nange, Ighodaro, Bezuidenhout
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