SuperSport United returned to winning ways in the DStv Premiership after defeating Maritzburg United, with Bradley Grobler getting his 100th PSL goal on Friday night.
There were two changes from SuperSport's draw against Royal AM, as Thamsanqa Gabuza and Jamie Webber returned, while Maritzburg welcomed back Rafiq De Goede and Karim Kimvuidi.
Kimvuidi looked to hit the ground running on his return when he charged onto a loose ball from Wayde Jooste's free-kick, but SuperSport goalkeeper Ricardo Goss regained ground and collected.
There were not a lot of openings thereafter from either the host or visitors, which highlighted a fierce tussle for possession while the Team of Choice relied on the counter-attack with a deep defensive-block.
Matsatsantsa, though, began to find some spaces between the opponents defensive-lines and a cross from saw Bradley Grobler rise to head over five minutes before the halftime break.
With an eye improving in the second half, Maritzburg coach Fadlu Davids made a change at the start of the second half and remove Kimvuidi and for Friday Samu.
The Team of Choice got a decent opening ten minutes into the second half from a header at the back-post by Bonginkosi Makume, but it was saved by Goss.
SuperSport weren't bothered and hit the breakthrough midway inside the second period when Kegan Johannes leaped ahead of two challengers and nodded in Ghampani Lungu's cross.
It didn't get better for Maritzburg 12 minutes from time after Maseko drew a foul off Jooste to win a penalty and while the initial effort was saved, Grobler volleyed in the rebound for his 100th top-flight strike.
The Team of Choice went looking for a response after six minutes with a first-time shot at the near post by Jose Ali Meza, but Goss produced a brilliant reflex save.
Goss made another miraculous save in additional time when he palmed a curling free-kick by Amadou Soukouna away for a corner-kick.
Maritzburg continued to find chances as the seconds to full-time ticked away, but they weren't able to breakthrough and suffered another defeat that continues to dent their survival chances.
Confirmed line-ups:
SuperSport United: Goss, Ditlhokwe, Maswanganyi, Hlatshwayo, Johannes, Margeman, Bhasera, Maseko, Webber, Grobler, Gabuza
Subs: Chigova, Nhlapo, Ngoma, Kewuti, Lepasa, Sibanyoni, Lungu, Niang, Mbatha
Maritzburg United: Learner, Makume, De Goede, Palace, Cross, Human, Moloisane, Jooste, Njoti, Kimvuidi, Peprah
Subs: Ndlovu, Ndengane, Samu, Meza, Bhengu, Zuma, Soukouna, Theron, Conco
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.