By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
SuperSport United fought back to force a 1-1 draw against Chippa United in their DStv Premiership opener on Sunday evening.
New signing Thulani Hlatshwayo made his debut for SuperSport who had Bradley Grobler back from a long injury lay-off, while new Chippa coach Daine Klate gave Brooklyn Poggenpoel a debut too.
Chilli Boys had broken the deadlock in the first half as the two teams began their campaigns with a stalemate in Pretoria.
Both teams will be in action on Wednesday as SuperSport are scheduled to face AmaZulu FC in Durban, while Chippa are set to square off with Royal AM at home.
Both teams were relying a lot on aerial and second balls in the opening stages. The deadlock was broken in the 17th minute when Siphelele Luthuli’s free-kick was headed home by Ronald Pfumbidzai to make it 1-0 to Chippa.
Matsatsantsa responded by pilling pressure on the Chilli Boys and they came very close to level matters. Grobler’s curling shot was parried into Iqraam Rayners’ path by goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua and the SuperSport attacker rattled the crossbar before the visitors cleared their lines.
Kazapua was nearly beaten by Grant Margeman’s curing cross which shaved the top of the crossbar and at the other end, Roscoe Pietersen’s header from Luthuli’s free-kick narrowly missed the target. The score was 1-0 to Chippa during the halftime break.
SuperSport were the better side after the restart as they pushed for the equalising goal and they managed to level matters through Grobler. The lethal marksman pounced and scored from close range to make it 1-1 in the 63rd minute shortly after Aubrey Ngoma was denied by Kazapua.
Coach Klate, who was up against his former coach Gavin Hunt, responded by making a tactical change after his side had conceded. The retired winger pulled out Andile Mbenyane and introduced Justice Chabalala as the Chilli Boys looked to restore their lead.
Matsatsantsa came closest to scoring in the closing proceedings when Margeman’s thumping shot hit the side-netting. SuperSport were reduced to 10 players in stoppage time after Goss was sent off for punching Pfumbidzai in the face, but the hosts stood form at the back and the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
Meanwhile TS Galaxy and AmaZulu FC played to a 0-0 draw at the Bidvest Stadium in their maiden DStv Premiership match of the 2022-23 season on Sunday afternoon.