Marumo Gallants secured their win of the Betway Premiership season with a 1-0 victory away to SuperSport United on Friday night.
Changes for United from the midweek clash with Chippa United saw Vincent Pule, Neo Rapoo, Siviwe Magidigidi, Keanin Ayer and Eric Mbangossoum recalled to the starting line-up.
Supersport United vs Gallants highlights
It wasn’t the start the hosts had imagined as Siyabulela Shai drew foul from Bilal Baloyi in the box to win a penalty with just 12 minutes played, allowing Edgar Manaka to convert the penalty.
Neo Rapoo came close to levelling matters for the home team six minutes later through a shot outside the danger area following Siphesihle Ndlovu’s pass, but his effort sailed wide of the mark.
Matsatsantsa lacked a bit of intensity on the attack, as the boys from the Free State province fought gallantly to maintain complete ascendancy of proceedings.
Gavin Hunt’s charges did threaten to go level shortly before halftime when a header by Grobler flew high and wide following Vincent Pule’s cross.
Despite being ahead, the visiting team still made a double change ahead of the resumption in Xola Mlambo for Sekela Sithole before seeing Phathutshedzo Nange in for Monde Mphambaniso.
Seemingly the alterations didn’t affect the tempo and in fact had Bahlabane Ba Ntwa coming close to a second when Kenneth Nthatheni nodded a flick on from Marvin Sikhosana narrowly wide.
Matsatsantsa continued to play in patches earlier in the second period as Shai fancied increasing the deficit with a surging shot from a smart lay-off.
In light of the underwhelming spell, Matsatsantsa saw a golden chance by substitute Terrence Dzvukamanja from a difficult angle go narrowly wide.
Yet another opportunity were presented for Dzvukamanja off a cross into the area by Tashreeq Morris, but again managed to fluff his lines.
The visitors did have a late chance to double their lead but Msendami blazed wide with only Mbanjwa to beat, although the one goal was enough to secure maximum points.
Confirmed line ups:
SuperSport United: Mbanjwa, Mobbie, Baloyi, Okon, Rapoo, Pule, Ndlovu, Grobler, Magidigidi, Mbangossoum, Ayer
Subs: Xulu, Lungu, Poggenpoel, Moralo, Baliti, Dzvukamanja, Morris, Mangezi
Marumo Gallants: Arubi, Sikhosana, Mabotja, Nthatheni, Sithole, Msendami, Dhludhlu, Manaka, Shai, Mphambaniso, Khumalo
Subs: Mlambo, Rikhotso, Chabatsane, Nange, Mlambo, Mhango, Nhlapo, Mahlatsi, Wagaba
