A late goal from Iqraam Rayners saw SuperSport United beat Maritzburg United 1-0 in their Nedbank Cup round of 32 match at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Wednesday evening. Earlier in the day Venda Football Academy became the third GladAfrica championship side to qualify for the last 16.
It was the first of two consecutive meetings between Maritzburg and SuperSport in a week, with the teams scheduled to meet in the DStv Premiership at the same venue in six days.
Maritzburg United 0-1 SuperSport United
Ernst Middendorp started with four new signings – Lucky Baloyi, Nicholus Lukhubeni, Friday Samu and Tawanda Macheke – while the injuries of Bradley Grobler, Thamsanqa Gabuza, and Kegan Johannes, Sipho Mbule’s absence, and the sale of Teboho Mokoena, forced Kaitano Tembo’s hand.
An early headed attempt from Thatayaone Ditlhokwe went wide in the third minute, while Iqraam Rayners’s header in the tenth minute was also off target.
Rayners had another good chance in the 15th minute, but this time he was denied by Marcel Engelhardt’s one handed save. Two minutes later he saved again from Gamphani Lungu’s improvised attempt as SuperSport pressed for the opener.
Daylon Claasen had a great chance for Maritzburg in the 29th minute but his shot was well saved by Ronwen Williams. At half-time it remained goalless, with SuperSport having the better of the first 45.
But Maritzburg came back well in the second half and substitute Amadou Soukouna shot over Williams’ goal on the hour mark, and forced a save from the Bafana Bafana goalkeeper in the 63rd minute.
Samu had a good chance from close range in the 74th minute, but Williams was able to make a stop to deny him. Jamie Webber’s speculative effort in the 85th minute went high and wide.
And just when it looked to be heading to extra time, SuperSport had a good counter attack in the 88th minute, having just come on, Kudakwashe Mahachi set up Rayners, who broke free down the left, he cut inside and left Engelhardt with no chance with a good shot.
SuperSport United maintain their unbeaten record in cup competitions against Maritzburg, who are yet to beat the Tshwane team in five knockout games.
Venda Football Academy 3-1 (aet) African All Stars
In a non-televised game at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Wednesday afternoon GladAfrica Championship outfit beat Gauteng ABC Motsepe side African All Stars 3-1, however they needed extra time to get the result.
Delemo Lekhanya gave the minnows an early lead from the penalty spot, but Simiso Bophela, who has just joined on loan from Orlando Pirates, found the equaliser.
With neither side getting a winer in 90 minutes, the match went to extra time and VFA grabbed the lead thanks to an own goal. And before full-time Rontondwa Mutsivhuli added a third to make sure of the result, and book Johnny Ferreira’s team a spot in the last sixteen.
