SuperSport United and Stellenbosch FC shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw as DStv Premiership action returned on Friday night.
Washington Arubi deputised in goal for Ricardo Goss on side of the host, who also gave a debut to January signing Keegan Allan, while Stellies threw Jayden Adams in the deep-end despite coming off successful the Africa Cup of Nations campaign with the national team.
Matsatsantsa aimed to get the ball rolling with some innovative play wide of the mark by Shandre Campbell, but the Maroons were unfazed.
The lead was broken past the 20th minute after Campbell applied the same methods out wide to set-up Bradley Grobler to head into the bottom corner for his seventh league goal of the season
Stellies battled to launch a swift reply as the defensive pair of Kegan Johannes and Bilal Baloyi marshalled the ship and contained all threats with aplomb.
With the contest extremely poised, the three-time champions didn’t seize control but entered the tunnel well on the front-foot.
The Maroons were energised following the break and levelled matters on 56 minutes when Rayners capitalised on the end of Thabo Moloisane’s ball before getting the better of Arubi with a composed fniished.
SuperSport looked to get back ahead later on, prompting a double change in Lyle Lakay and Etiosa Ighodaro for Campbell and Terrence Dzvukamanja respectively.
Matsantsanta went close near the final ten minutes through a telling shot from afar by Grant Margeman, but he fired wide of the mark.
The Maroons were forced into a change after goalkeeper Sage Stephens suffered a collision from a heavy challenge and was replaced by Oscarine Masuluke.
Drama ensued followed in the dying minutes when Allan got his marching orders following a second bookable offence, ending his debut with a red card.
Both teams pushed for the winner in the dying seconds , but in the end settled for a point apiece in Atteridgeville.
Confirmed line-ups:
SuperSport United: Arubi, Johannes, Allan, Baloyi, Bhasera, Margeman, Ndlovu, Campbell, Lungu, Dzvukamanja, Grobler.
Subs: Goss, Lakay, Benjamin, Pfumbidzai, Donn, Matodzi, Nange, Moralo, Ighodaro
Stellenbosch FC: Stephens, Toure, Sibande, Jurgens, Nduli, Moloisane, Adams, De Jong, Oura, Titus, Rayners.
Subs: Masuluke, Mcaba, De Kock, Mgaga, Matsheke, Van Rooyen, Colley, Van Wyk, Boji
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