Staff Reporter.
@BackpagePix.
SuperSport United booked their passage into the Nedbank Cup Round of 16 this week, as goals by Vincent Pule and Christian Saile guided the Tshwane giants to a confident 2-0 win against Magesi at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday night.
Following a positive start to the game for SuperSport United, Vincent Pule drew first blood for his side with an effort in the first five minutes of the match. With Matsatsantsa showcasing their attacking intent early on, Magesi were placed under much pressure from the first whistle.
Magesi held decent spells of possession midway through the first half, but were unable to make the most of their forward advancements as a result of SuperSport’s stubborn defensive set-up.
Gavin Hunt’s side did well to manage the first 45 and headed into the break with their 1-0 lead intact. The Limpopo-based side actively searched for an equalizer toward the break but struggled to string notable passes together, particularly in the final third.
With SuperSport picking up the ball in the middle of the park, Siviwe Magidigidi’s clever flick set Saile through on goal who evaded a couple of defenders before slotting the ball home in confident fashion.
In an attempt to change the complexion of the match, Magesi rang in the changes after the hour-mark as the likes of Deolin Mekoa and Karabo Seroto entered the fold. However, the Limpopo-side battled to convert their possession into notable scoring opportunities.
While Magesi made a number of changes in the second-half, Hunt opted for continuity and only made two changes leading to the 82nd minute, as Siphesihle Ndlovu and Gape Moralo stepped onto the pitch.
Nevertheless, SuperSport did enough to see out the game unscathed and managed to record a largely convincing 2-0 win at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.
In another match, AmaZulu bounced back in the Nedbank Cup, defeating Mighty Eagles 5-1 at the King Zwelithini Stadium in their Round of 32 clash on Tuesday evening.
Meanwhile the draw for the second round of this season’s Nedbank Cup will be conducted on Wednesday, before the conclusion of the last of the first-round ties.
There are already 10 teams through to next round after the opening round of cup matches at the weekend, which kicked off with victory for Marumo Gallants at Pretoria Callies in Friday’s first game.
They have since been joined in the last-16 by holders Orlando Pirates and fellow top-flight outfits Chippa United, Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Polokwane City plus Baroka, Cape Town Spurs and Durban City from the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
Mpheni Home Defenders are the only side from the third tier ABC Motsepe League who have advanced, after upsetting Hungry Lions, who are one division higher, in Thohoyandou on Saturday.