Supersport United lifted their league season when they scored a hard-fought 2-1 win over neighbours Mamelodi Sundowns in their Pretoria Castle Premiership derby played at the HM Pitje Stadium on Sunday.
United led 1-0 at half-time.
Sundowns dominated the first half but failed to convert and capitalise on the chances they created, and paid the price when United striker Aubin Takutchie headed home Themba Mnguni’s free kick to put United ahead in the 41st minute.
Downs started well under new coach Angel Cappa by taking the game to United. Downs Josta Dladla was given a free run on the right wing against a suspect defence. United captain Ricardo Katza did well to boot Dladla’s shot for a corner after five minutes.
United goalkeeper Calvin Marlin showed his form when he denied Esrom Nyandora a goal with a brilliant save from the Zimbabwean midfielder’s long-range shot. A minute later, Downs’ Peter Ndlovu shot wide of the upright.
Then it was Surprise Moriri’s chance to waste a goal-scoring opportunity for Downs when he fluffed his shot in front of goal in the 31st minute.
In injury time, Paulus Masehe passed when he was in a better goal-scoring position. However, Masehe made amends when he headed home the equaliser from a Ndlovu cross four minutes after the restart.
But United refused to be ruffled and fought back to snatch the winner in the 69th minute when Tsweu Mokoro headed home Mnguni’s pin-point cross.
It was a poor start for Downs’ new Argentine coach, Angel Cappa, who was in charge of the team for the first time after club owner Patrice Motsepe fired Paul Dolezar last month. — Sapa