SuperSport United qualified for the MultiChoice Diski Challenge quarterfinals by finishing second in Group A with 13 points.
The turnaround for the Matsatsantsha youngsters was when they won three of their last four matches, including handing group leaders Bloemfontein Celtic their only defeat.
supersport.com looks at the club’s seven matches in the group stage of the competition.
SuperSport 0-1 Polokwane City
21 September – Coetzenburg Stadium in Stellenbosch, Cape Town
United came into the match as favourites having dominated the youth tournaments, they also had a couple of junior internationals in their team. Standing in their way was a closed book Polokwane City, who many knew less about coming into the match. Bolstered by a number of former Orlando Pirates’ development team players, City persistent pressure paid off when they were awarded a penalty in the 60th minute and Ayanda Lubelo converted to sink the Pretoria side.
Kaizer Chiefs 1-1 SuperSport
24 September – Nike Training Centre in Pimville, Soweto
United faced Kaizer Chiefs in their next match where they had to avoid losing for the second time in a row. Lerato Manzini, who was roped in to regain his fitness, showed his experience when he rose highest to head United into the lead five minutes into the match. The lead was short lived as Chiefs found the equaliser in the 10th minute through promising youngster Hendrik Ekstein, who was voted man of the match.
4 October – Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg, KZN
SuperSport travelled to Durban in their third clash to face Maritzburg United, who had lost all their matches. Andile Fikizolo opened the scoring late in the match when he netted in the 72nd minute. The presence of experienced forward Ryan Chapman also paid dividends as he found the second goal six minutes later, to give Matsatsantsa their first victory.
University of Pretoria 0-1 SuperSport
11 October – Tuks Stadium, Pretoria
The Pretoria derby clash followed in their fourth encounter against Tuks, who had won two and drew once in their three matches. SuperSport handed them their first defeat in a closely-contested encounter, with Thabani Mthembu’s 22nd minute spot kick separating the two sides. Veteran Thabo September made an appearance in the tournament on the day, marshalling the defence with Roscoe Pietersen.
12 October - Tuks fields, Pretoria
United played Ajax Cape Town the following day in what was a testing schedule for the teams. They couldn’t manage to record another win as the faced a wounded Ajax side, who had suffered defeat to Maritzburg United the previous day. The young Urban Warriors opened the scoring via Justin Jacobus in the 7the minute. Despite Sithembiso Ngidi equalising for United in the 34th minute, Charlton Basson got Ajax the winner in the 69th minute.
Bloemfontein Celtic 1-2 SuperSport
18 October – Siwelele Park, Bloemfontein
In their sixth match, they faced a tough task against Bloemfontein Celtic, who had not lost in five matches, and were in control of Group A. SuperSport finished the first half strongly as they found the opener six minutes before the break through Thabani Mthembu. They extended their lead when Roscoe Pietersen netted in the 61st minute. Celtic pulled one back courtesy of Wayde Jooste’s 77th minute penalty, but United had done enough to claim the three points.
SuperSport 3-0 Moroka Swallows
25 October – Lucas Moripe Stadium, Pretoria
SuperSport went to their final match against Moroka Swallows, who had not won a single match and were already eliminated, needing a win to ensure their spot in the knockout round. They proved too strong for the less inspired Birds side as a Ryan Chapman first-half brace and Andile Fikizolo’s late strike gave them a comfortable win. The win clinched their berth in the quarterfinals and helped them finish second.
Group stage record: P7 W4 D1 L2 GF10 GA5 GD5 Pts13
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