Supersport United launched their season with the proclaimed intention of becoming Premier Soccer League champions. Then, when their plans went a little awry, they conceded they would settle for second position.
But the listless 1-0 defeat they suffered against an improving Black Leopards at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday night before little more than 100 spectators left the M-Net club in danger of finishing out of the eight top places in the log and not qualifying for next season’s Supa 8 tournament.
With former Wits University coach Boebie Solomons directing operations from the bench after ostensibly joining the club as a technical adviser, the hungry Leopards went ahead as early as the 10th minute through Jabulani Maluleke after a chaotic mix-up in the Supersport defence left goalkeeper Andre Arendse exposed.
Arendse, however, prevented Leopards from increasing their lead in the opening period with two fearless saves, and at the other end goalkeeper Mashudu Mamphita was equally impressive with a
point-blank reflex save from a Katlego Mashego header in the 32nd minute.
Supersport substituted one Bafana Bafana striker for another in the second period in order to insert a degree of penetration into their attack, with Katlego Mphela replacing Mashego.
But while Supersport dominated play territorially after the interval, chances went begging with almost regular monotony — and when Zimbabwean substitute Shingayi Kaonera shot wide from 5m in the 70th minute, it seemed Supersport could have played all night without scoring. — Sapa