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SuperSport claw Leopards
14/02/2008 09:03 - (SA)
Pretoria - SuperSport United cemented their place at the top end of the Absa Premiership League table with a hard-fought 3-1 win over Black Leopards at the Super Stadium in Pretoria.
Diane Klate was the hero for the home team getting his name on the score sheet, while setting up the opening goal as United remained in third place behind Ajax Cape Town and Free State Stars.
United thought they had taken the lead when Elias Pelembe scored from a well-taken free kick by Klate, but referee Charl Theron disallowed the goal for offside. Shortly afterwards they did take the lead when a pin-point cross by Klate was met and finished by Fikru Tefera in the 19th minute.
Eleven minutes later, Leopards' centre-back, Peter Mponda, lost the ball in his own half to Katlego Mashego, who quickly passed the ball to Pelembe on the right side.
The Mozambique international's cross found Klate, who finished with composure.
Lidoda Duvha coach Boebie Solomons rung the changes, bringing on Walter Ramulondi for captain Peter Mponda. It had an immediate impact as Leopards reduced the deficit when a poor clearance by Matsatsantsa goalkeeper Dennis Onyango found Mulondo Sikhwivhilu, who finished from distance.
Visitors dominated
Leopards show more intent in the second half using a 3-4-3 formation with three strikers upfront - Ramulondi, Myron Shongwe and Sikhwivhilu.
The visitors dominated the half as they sought an equaliser with United limiting their offence to counter attacks.
In the 87th-minute the tactic worked for United but came from the most unlikely person on the field. Keeper Onyango made up for his early mistake when his long-range kick down field caught his counterpart Mashudu Mamphitha off guard and the ball bounced over his head and into the net to seal the game.
Just before the referee's final whistle, Gavin Hunt gave 16-year-old Philani Khwela his debut for SuperSport. "We were well in control during the first 20 minutes of the match," reflected Hunt. "We should've finished the match in the first half because we created numerous goalscoring opportunities.
"Still, it's a good result, which keeps us in a good position on the log. I'm also happy with the debut of our central midfielder Letladi Madubanya, who we recently signed from Bay United. He did well." Leopard's coach Solomons was obviously less satisfied: "Our captain Mpondo had a bad game, as two defensive mistakes of him cost us two goals. We controlled the second half and showed a lot of character. Unfortunately, we failed to score."
Teams:
SuperSport United (4-4-2) : Onyango; Gaxa, Khumalo, Katza, Mahoa; Pelembe, Poggenpoel, Madubanya (Khwela 90+2'), Klate (Masina 67'); Mashego (Mahlangu 67'), Fikru
Black Leopards (4-4-2) : Mamphita; Mulaudzi, Lubanzadio, Mponda (Ramulondi 36'), Makgale; Fisher, Maluleke, Netshidzevhe (Kekana 57'), Twala (Ngambi 77'); Shongwe, Sikhwivhilu
- SuperSport
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