SuperSport United were denied a first-leg victory in the CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round as Gaborone United forced a 1-1 draw on Saturday evening.
Coach Gavin Hunt ran the changes with Washington Arubi in goal, Ime Okon and academy graduate Lyema Dopolo given a debut following their disappointing 3-0 loss to Golden Arrows in their last match.
Matsatsantsa looked to hit the front on ten minutes after Lyle Lakay drilled a ball in for Phathutshedzo Nange, but the subsequent attempt failed to find target and rolled behind.
The host quickly started to impose themselves following a quiet opening and put the opposite number Arubi to work through a few telling attempts around the area.
Gaborone were on the up again inside the half-hour mark but on this occasion a timeous intervention by veteran defender Thulani Hlatshwayo scuffed their chance to goal.
However, Matsatsantsa desperately looked to turn the scales inside halftime with Thalente Mbatha on the right looking for an opening but lacked the desired support.
Although with two minutes played in the second half, SuperSport made the breakthrough after Keenan Bezuidenhout came off the bench and slotted in to make it 1-0.
SuperSport coach Hunt decided to make another substitution just after seeing the team go ahead and saw Grant Margeman come on for Mbatha.
Matsatsantsa could’ve grabbed a second around the closing quarter with a half-volley from captain Onismor Bhasera following a free-kick, but the effort flew wide of target.
The home team launched a late threat as full-time loomed and saw Arubi produce a miraculous save to thwart a flying header following a pin-point delivery.
Arubi was beaten in the dying minutes after the host levelled matters through Sheikh Sesay, although Hunt's side still hold an advantage due to the away goal.
Confirmed line-ups:
SuperSport United: Arubi, Dopolo, Okon, Hlatshwayo, Bhasera, Mbatha, Ndlovu, Nange, Lakay, Dzvukamanja, Lungu
Subs: Sam, Xulu, Hamza, Donn, Matsio, Margeman, Bezuidenhout, Campbell
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