Matsatsantsa’s leg up in Caf Cup
TEENAGER’S CRUCIAL STRIKE COULD MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE
SuperSport United might have an all-important away goal against Congolese team.
SuperSport United did themselves a huge favour by scoring what could be an all-important away goal in the first-leg of the Caf Confederation Cup final against Congolese giants TP Mazembe yesterday, even though they lost 2-1 to the defending champions in Lubumbashi.
Mali international Adama Traore drew first blood in the 18th minute for the home side as The Ravens took the lead into the break. SuperSport had only themselves to blame for heading into the interval on the back foot after numerous chances were squandered by their frontline, comprising Jeremy Brockie and Bradley Grobler.
Nineteen-year-old Sipho Mbule – who came in for the suspended Reneilwe Letsholonyane – put the visitors back on level terms with a sublime 47th-minute strike from outside the box, giving goalkeeper Ley Matampi absolutely no chance.
Mazembe restored their lead six minutes after the hour mark from a well-worked set-piece. It was Daniel Adjei who pounced from close range after SuperSport’s defenders failed to clear their lines.
That goal allowed Mazembe to play with a lot more freedom, dictating the pace as Eric Tinkler’s men chased the game.
The former Orlando Pirates coach decided to withdraw the tournament’s top goalscorer in New Zealand international Brockie, bringing on youngster Fagrie Lakay in the 72nd minute.
Substitute Solomon Asante came close to getting Mazembe’s third goal after breaking away in a counter-attack instigated by Rainford Kalaba, but his shot went narrowly wide.
Two minutes later, United skipper Dean Furman was lucky to not concede a penalty and avoided going into the referee’s book after he brought down Asante in the box in what looked like a stonewall spotkick. However the referee waved play on.
Tinkler’s approach in the final 10 minutes was to close up shop as he withdrew winger Dove Wome and introduced defender Grant Kekana. That move was followed by the introduction of another defence-minded player in Denwin Farmer, who came in for Bafana Bafana international Grobler.
SuperSport have a chance to turn the tie around when they host the second leg at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.