SuperSport United recorded a 1-0 victory against a hapless Benoni Premier United in a Castle Premier Soccer League clash at the Germiston Stadium on Friday night.
South African international striker Katlego Mphela netted from the penalty spot in the 65th minute after Fikru Tefera was brought down by Nkosinathi Ngema outside the 18-yard area but the referee adjudged the foul to have taken place in the box.
Both teams lost 2-0 in their opening league games but it was expected that United would win this clash.
SuperSport’s finishing was off though as they missed countless chances and when their shots were on target, goalkeeper Lance Niewenhuis was on hand to stop their efforts. The keeper was Benoni’s best player by far, despite their recent acquisition of Clement Mazibuko in attack.
SuperSport were all over Benoni from the whistle as Katlego Mashego rattled the upright in the fourth minute with a rocket from 18-yards out.
Despite their possession, United could not finish off their chances. Benoni’s defence, supported by former Kaizer Chiefs defender Patrick Mayo, was on the back foot as the Katlego ran them ragged. Mphela easily turned Mayo on the half-hour to create a scoring chance, but his effort went horribly wide.
At half-time the score was 0-0, but the hosts could have been a goal or two up.
Nothing changed in the second stanza as SuperSport continued pushing forward in search of a goal. All their passes and shots amounted to nothing as Niewenhuis was in fine form. The Benoni keeper, though, was beaten from the spot.
Niewenhuis stopped shots by winger Daine Klate, Mphela and even defender Rudy Isaacs as United pressed to kill off the Rabbits, as Benoni are popularly known. Gavin Hunt was pleased with the win at his former home ground and the first victory for his new club. — Sapa