United leave it late to edge Leopards
GHAMPANI Lungu scored late as SuperSport snatched victory over Leopards at FNB Stadium last night to boost their chances of finishing in the top three to qualify for African football next season.
United regained third place in the Premiership with 47 points, six behind leaders Kaizer Chiefs.
Kaitano Tembo’s men have now won two matches and drawn one since the restart of the season.
Last night they looked like a team that would score whenever they reached the final third of Lidoda Duvha in the first half.
But they were either let down by some brilliant goalkeeping from King Ndlovu or poor decisions by striker Bradley Grobler, who remained a goal adrift of the league’s top goal scorers Gabadinho Mhango and Peter Shalulile, who’ve scored 14 goals.
Grobler should have opened the scoring as early as the fourth minute but he put his header wide after being unmarked and teed up by Kudakwashe Mahachi.
It was just not Grobler’s day as Ndlovu stood between him and grabbing the lead for SuperSport, blocking a pin-point header and left-footed shot to keep Leopards in the game.
Grobler should have scored in the second but again Ndlovu denied him as he saved his penalty after substitute Aubrey Modiba was fouled by Mumuni Abubakar in his penalty box.
Grobler did eventually score but it was ruled out by referee Philangenkosi Khumalo.
For Leopards, Mwape Musonda, last season’s top scorer, should have scored his fourth in three matches but he was denied by a brilliant stop by Ronwen Williams on the stroke of half-time.
The players appeared to be drained in the second half as Lungu’s goal came a minute before stoppage time after being set up by substitute Modiba.
SuperSport should have wrapped up the victory a lot earlier but in the end they got the much needed three points to move up to third position, while Leopards remained 13th and still in the relegation dogfight.