Brent Carelse netted from the penalty spot in the 15th minute to give SuperSport United three points in their first Absa Premiership match of the season against Free State Stars on Saturday night at the Super Stadium.
It was a half of missed chances and Glen Salmon was the main culprit for the hosts while John Tsotsetsi had the first chance to score for Stars. A superb pass by Duncan Lechesa in the third minute unlocked the United defence and with only the keeper to beat Tsotsetsi lofted his effort wide.
Five minutes later Carelse’s free kick from the edge of the area was deflected by the head of defender James Matola. In the 12th minute Salmon wasted a good chance to put his team ahead when a Shane Poggenpoel pass came off a Stars defender and fell at the feet of the striker who shot wide with only Kennedy Mweene to beat.
Two minutes later Salmon turned provider and sent in a telling pass to Mashego at the near post but Mweene challenged him and the striker went down and won a dubious penalty.
Carelse then blasted the ball into the back of Mweene’s net. Mashego again fooled the Stars’ defence with a neat turn and fed Salmon who cleverly evaded his marker, and with Mweene off his line and the goalmouth gaping, the former NAC Breda forward put too much weight on his attempted chip.
Ten minutes after the break Lechesa came close to scoring after Prince Olumo held the ball up in the big box and teed up the skipper, but he shot high.
With Stars struggling to get forward and SuperSport not able to score, the game tapered to a dreary finish.
The defending champs join Bidvest Wits and Golden Arrows at the top of the table. – Sapa