SuperSport United suffered a third successive defeat in the CAF Confederation Cup group stages with a 2-1 loss away to Al Hilal Benghazi on Sunday evening.
First-choice goalkeeper Ricardo Goss made his first start in the group stages after missing out the previous two, with Washington Arubi on the bench.
An injury past the opening ten minutes forced United to remove Bafana Bafana international Siyanda Xulu and introduce youngster Lyema Dopolo.
The move worked to the home side’s advantage who were able to go up field and break the deadlock courtesy of Muetasimballlah Al Taeb following Mohamed Salim’s ball.
SuperSport looked keen to hit back immediately and were very close to do so when a neat layoff outside the area by Terrence Dzvukamanja saw Phathutshedzo Nange blaze over.
Dzvukamanja didn’t seem comfortable though after the brief involvement at the other and was rightfully taken off for Ghampani Lungu.
Matsatsantsa enjoyed another late charge around the halftime period as Shandre Campbell got space outside the area to take aim and slammed wide of the bottom-corner.
Further changes from United ahead of the second half came, with Grant Margeman in for Selaelo Rasebotja and Jesse Donn sacrificed for Keenan Bezuidenhout.
Lungu aimed to take control of matters a little in the earlier stages, but failed to find target after shaping an angle before Nange saw his half-volley sail over.
Lungu did come good though a little to 12 minutes inside the second period when he combined with Campbell’s cross to finish from close-range.
Hilal though restored the lead within two minutes after dangerman Al Taeb pounced again to complete his brace and gave United a mountain to climb.
SuperSport were eager to get level again right thereafter though didn’t get the desired intensity in the final third.
The host kept total control of the lead well towards the latter stages and ended up collecting their first win of the campaign as United remained bottom of the group.
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