Iqraam Rayners’ 89th minute stunner was all SuperSport United needed to beat Maritzburg United in the first round of the Nedbank Cup at Harry Gwala Stadium last night.
Rayners, who was always in the thick of things, was teed-up by second half substitute Kudakwashe Mahachi before curling the ball brilliantly to beat Marcel Engelhardt in the Team of Choice's goal to ensure they win 1-0.
Maritzburg United coach Ernst Middendorp gave debuts to four of his January recruitments in Nicholus Lukhubeni, Lucky Baloyi, Tawanda Macheke and Friday Samu. Lukhubeni and Baloyi joined as free-agents after leaving Sekhukhune United and Royal AM respectively.
Macheke, a towering striker, was also unattached before the Team of Choice snatched him, having last played for his native Zimbabwean side Black Rhinos. Samu, who’s also a striker from Zambia, transferred from his motherland side Green Buffaloes.
Having been the subject of transfer speculation for the better part of the January transfer, star midfielder Sipho Mbule didn’t make SuperSport’s game-day squad. It was Matsatsantsa’s first game since they sold Mbule’s midfield twin Teboho Mokoena to Mamelodi Sundowns.
Youngster Selaelo Rasebotja rarely started in the visitors’ four-man midfield with Jamie Webber, Jesse Donn and Moses Waiswa also getting the nod.
Both teams never sat back in the first half but it was SuperSport who made more box entries. Matsatsantsa’s strike partnership of Rayners, who’d later net the game’s solitary goal, and Ghampani Lungu troubled the Maritzburg defence but the duo lacked composure at times hence their attempts never came to fruition.
Maritzburg keeper Engelhardt looked unconvincing, making a few errors such as misinterpreting aerial balls. However the German was lucky not to be punished. The second stanza was evenly balanced until SuperSport netted the decisive goal.
Elsewhere yesterday, Venda Academy also booked a place in the second round, albeit they had to do it the hard way with a 3-1 extra-time win over African All Stars at Thohoyandou Stadium
Rayners late strike shatters Maritzburg
SuperSport secure place in last 16
Image: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
Iqraam Rayners’ 89th minute stunner was all SuperSport United needed to beat Maritzburg United in the first round of the Nedbank Cup at Harry Gwala Stadium last night.
Rayners, who was always in the thick of things, was teed-up by second half substitute Kudakwashe Mahachi before curling the ball brilliantly to beat Marcel Engelhardt in the Team of Choice's goal to ensure they win 1-0.
Maritzburg United coach Ernst Middendorp gave debuts to four of his January recruitments in Nicholus Lukhubeni, Lucky Baloyi, Tawanda Macheke and Friday Samu. Lukhubeni and Baloyi joined as free-agents after leaving Sekhukhune United and Royal AM respectively.
Macheke, a towering striker, was also unattached before the Team of Choice snatched him, having last played for his native Zimbabwean side Black Rhinos. Samu, who’s also a striker from Zambia, transferred from his motherland side Green Buffaloes.
Having been the subject of transfer speculation for the better part of the January transfer, star midfielder Sipho Mbule didn’t make SuperSport’s game-day squad. It was Matsatsantsa’s first game since they sold Mbule’s midfield twin Teboho Mokoena to Mamelodi Sundowns.
Youngster Selaelo Rasebotja rarely started in the visitors’ four-man midfield with Jamie Webber, Jesse Donn and Moses Waiswa also getting the nod.
Both teams never sat back in the first half but it was SuperSport who made more box entries. Matsatsantsa’s strike partnership of Rayners, who’d later net the game’s solitary goal, and Ghampani Lungu troubled the Maritzburg defence but the duo lacked composure at times hence their attempts never came to fruition.
Maritzburg keeper Engelhardt looked unconvincing, making a few errors such as misinterpreting aerial balls. However the German was lucky not to be punished. The second stanza was evenly balanced until SuperSport netted the decisive goal.
Elsewhere yesterday, Venda Academy also booked a place in the second round, albeit they had to do it the hard way with a 3-1 extra-time win over African All Stars at Thohoyandou Stadium
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