SuperSport, Wits, Stars fly SA flag high

IT’S worth celebrating when South Africa has four clubs that do well in CAF club competitions in one weekend, but not too much because it’s still early days.

After Mamelodi Sundowns, Bidvest Wits and Platinum Stars all won in their respective continental competitions on Saturday, SuperSport United continued to raise the SA flag with a 2-1 victory over Madagascar’s Elgeco Plus in the preliminary round of the Confederation Cup yesterday.

The clubs had played to a goalless draw in the first leg a week earlier. Matsatsantsa will play Al-Ahly Shendi from Sudan in the first round.

The signs are promising to make sure SA has representatives in the group stages of both the Champions League and Confed Cup.

SuperSport rested some key players but still had the qualities of Jeremy Brockie, Thuso Phala and Tefu Mashamaite yesterday.

They established an early foothold and deservedly took the lead after 13 minutes, thanks to a penalty converted by Brockie, who was fouled in the box.

The hosts were stunned by a cracking equaliser from substitute Ravelo Ardino just before the half-hour mark.

But Fagrie Lakay restored Matsatsantsa’s lead less than 10 minutes later with a welltaken shot inside the box.

In the next round, SuperSport will have to make sure they convert the chances.

They were wasteful yesterday.

Stars also progressed to the Confederation Cup first round after beating Mozambican side Uniao Desportivo do Songo 2-0 on aggregate. They’ll play Vipers SC of Uganda next.

In the Champions League, Wits will play Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the first round after beating SaintLouisienne 4-3 on aggregate.