Draw enough to go through to semis
ASTOPPAGE time goal earned Supersport United a 2-2 draw with Zesco United in their CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final clash at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, Zambia, yesterday.
After last week’s 0-0 draw in Pretoria, the two away goals were enough to see Matsatsansta through, thanks to Thuso Phala’s brace in Ndola.
The Zambian side were off to the perfect start when John Chigandu arrived unmarked at the back post to volley home a deep cross in clinical fashion after only three minutes.
Supersport had goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to thank 10 minutes later when he did superbly to rush off his line and make a point-blank save on Maybin Kalengo as Zesco missed the chance to double their lead.
Williams was at it again a minute later with another brilliant stop, this time on Chigandu, as the visitor’s defence showed virtually no resistance.
Supersport came back in to the match midway through the first half as Phala hit the side-netting before Jeremy Brockie was denied by Zesco keeper Jacob Banda at close range.
The Pretoria side squared the game in the 35th minute when Phala latched onto a cross which the hosts had failed to clear and slammed in a low shot from 20-yards out.
Bradley Grobler should have put Supersport ahead two minutes later, but with only an on-rushing Banda to beat, he steered his shot wide of the upright.
Lead
It took Zesco just five secondhalf minutes to reclaim the lead as David Odhiambo took advantage of some uncertain defending to slot past Williams.
Chances were exchanged as Tebogo Mokoena missed with a header before Dauti Musekwa fired wide after he made space for a shot 25 minutes from time for the hosts.
Matsatsantsa had a good opportunity level the game 13 minutes from time, but Thabo Mnyamane was unable to keep his header down.
The remainder of the game saw the Zambian side happy to play to the clock, but the South Africans refused to give up as Phala popped up at the back post in the 93rd minute to convert a low shot after a flick-on by Clayton Daniels.
ldefending champions Mamelodi Sundowns were scheduled to face Moroccan giants Wydad AC in Casablanca last night in the second leg of their Caf Champions League quarter-final.