If ball possession and shots at goal statistics won a game, Supersport United would have decided their MTN Confederation of African Football champions league round-robin home tie against Esperance of Tunisia at Pretoria’s Securicor Loftus Stadium in the first few minutes of the first half during the two sides’ encounter on Sunday.
The visitors beat United 2-1.
Unlucky United had the best of the first half as all the efforts by their right flank — inspired by Abram Raselemane — hit the upright and the crossbars.
United had no one to blame but themselves for the defeat.
The visitors opened the score sheet in the 25th minute with a superb header form Zitouni Ali.
He finished the cross from a free-kick by Souaya Skander. Ali was fouled by United defender Philip Evans a few metres outside the box.
The hosts gave their all to reduce the deficit, but the more composed and experienced visitors prevented United from equalising as the game went to a 1-0 margin at the interval.
In the second half United failed to convert their chances.
Esperance added to their tally with a well-taken free-kick past United’s goalkeeper, Calvin Marlin, to give the visitors a two-goal lead.
Richard Rantjies scored the consolation goal for the Pretoria-based side only a few minutes before full-time. — Sapa