SuperSport United climbed to second spot on the DStv Premiership table after defeating Marumo Gallants 1-0 on Friday night.
DStv Premiership
Result: SuperSport United 1-0 Marumo Gallants
Date: 30 December 2022
Venue: Lucas Moripe Stadium
Gavin Hunt went with the same SuperSport starting line-up from the draw with Swallows before the break, while Lesiba Nku and Lucky Mohomi were recalled to the Gallants midield.
Gallants enjoyed most of the possession in the early stages of the first half, but were unable to carve out a serious chance in open play.
Gallants coach Dan Malesela was forced to make a change on 20 minutes as Ivorian defender Ismael Olivier was forced off with an injury and replaced by Ayanda Nkili.
Gavin Hunt's troops started seeing more of the ball as the half went on, with Grant Margeman getting his foot on the ball but much like Gallants, they struggled to create clear openings.
With the first half ending goalless, SuperSport were forced to make a defensive change of their own as Luke Fleurs replaced Thulani Hlatshwayo, who was unable to continue.
SuperSport were presented with the first chance to open the scoring five minutes after the break when Margeman's cross found Patrick Maswanganyi, who failed to hit the target at the far post.
The hosts got their reward in the 56th minute as left-back Onismor Bhasera popped up in the box and sent a fine header past his countryman Arubi.
Malesela responded with a double change after 65 minutes, with Ranga Chivaviro and Monde Mphambaniso replaced Mohomi and Sibusiso as the visitors looked to get back on level terms.
Chivaviro went close to snatching a point for Gallants in the 90th minute with an impressive bicycle-kick, but goalkeeper Ricardo Goss did well to make the save.
The save proved to be a vital one as Hunt's charges saw out the rest of the game to secure maximum points in their final game of the year.
Here's how they lined up:
SuperSport United: 20. Goss, 6. Ditlhokwe, 3. Hlatshwayo, 23. Margeman, 14. Bhasera, 28. Maswanganyi, 13. Gabuza, 12. Webber, 37. Johannes, 7. Grobler, 15. Ndlovu
Subs: 31. Pule, 25. Fleurs, 18. Nhlapo, 26. Donn, 9. Rayners, 11. Ngoma, 17. Lungu, 24. Sibanyoni, 40. Maseko
Marumo Gallants: 36. Arubi, 29. Gumede, 5. Mabotja, 12. Khiba, 30. Kumalo, 23. Mdlinzo, 45. Toure, 17. Mohomi, 7. Nku, 50. Sibeko, 11. Otladisa.
Subs: 1. Watenga, 2. Nkili, 3. Manaka, 15. Mphambaniso, 34. Pheko, 31. Maraisane, 8. Chivaviro, 6. Soumaro, 14. Koapeng
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