SuperSport United v Mpumalanga Black Aces Premier Soccer League

Thuso Phala and Bennet Chenene scored either side of the break, while the match also saw some absolute sitters missed from the likes of debutant Tendai Ndoro, Phala and Mabhuti Kheyeza.

After an early effort from Ndoro that went wide, it was Matsatsantsa who dominated proceedings.

Chenene was played through on goal on 10 minutes, but he couldn’t get the ball out from under his feet and the defence cleared the danger.

A minute later Dino Ndlovu had the first shot on target, but goalkeeper Bafana Nhlapo was alert to the danger and saved with his legs.

SuperSport continued to press and Sameegh Doutie looked like he would scored when played through on goal, but Method Mwanjali denied him with an excellent last-ditch tackle.

However, the goal did eventually come on 27 minutes. Once again Doutie found himself one-on-one with Nhlapo. The goalie again made a smart save, but Phala slotted into the empty net.

Nhlapo had to be at his best again to deny Ndlovu’s 25-yard volley before Aces finally had a chance – and a great one at that. Khenyeza cleverly played in Ndoro, but the Zimbabwean inexplicably missed from eight yards out with just the keeper to beat.

Goalmouth action was few and far between in the second half, though SuperSport did get a second on the hour-mark. A long-ball from defence found Chenene, and he sprinted all of 50 yards into the area before beating a defender and slotting past the goalie.

Eight minutes later Ndlovu had the ball in the back of the net, but he was ruled offside – a very tight call.

Aces finally had a sight of goal with nine minutes to go, but Mwanjali’s free-kick on the edge of the area was a disappointing one and sailed wide.

Phala missed another great chance in injury-time when new signing Joao de Oliveira played him in, but the winger fluffed his lines – as did Khenyeza from just eight yards out with the final kick of the game.

The win sees SuperSport move up to third place, 11 behind leaders Kaizer Chiefs, while Aces remain in 11^th place, just four points off the relegation zone.