SuperSport weather storm to clinch point

TP Mazembe and SuperSport United produced a four-goal thriller in their Caf Confederation Cup clash yesterday in the Democratic Republic of Congo. United had to come back from behind from 2-0 down to salvage a vital point in a packed tadium in Lubumbashi.

Mazembe, who won the trophy last year, dominated most of the play early on, and opened the scoring in the 21st minute through Ben Malango, who benefited from a defence-splitting pass by Tresor Mputu. Five minutes later Mazembe captain Rainford Kalaba doubled the advantage from close range.

However, SuperSport immediately responded with a goal of their own, courtesy of an Aubrey Modiba strike that was set up by Under-20 international Teboho Mokena (right).

The second stanza began with Mazembe on the front foot again launching attack after attack, but United’s central pairing of Morgan Gould and Clayton Daniels did well to absorb the pressure.

Matsatsantsa soon took charge of the match themselves with skipper Dean Furman and Reneilwe Letsholonyane dictating play in the middle of the park.

Thabo Mnyamane had an opportunity to level matters in the 55th when his side won a freekick in a promising area. Mnyamane stood over the ball but fired straight into the hands of goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohouo.

The responsibility to rescue a point was taken by teenager Mokoena, who levelled matters in the 66th minute with a textbook header, silencing the crowd. SuperSport went into their shell in the last five minutes as they held on for their point.

The share of the spoils means the two sides join Guinean side Horoya CF on five points at the top of Group D after three matches.

United welcome Mazembe to the Lucas Moripe Stadium in their next Confederation Cup match on June 20, which will be four days before they take on Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final.