SuperSport turn it on to outwit Arrows

SuperSport United coach Kaitano Tembo was confident ahead of yesterday’s game against Golden Arrows that his side would come out with all three points from their visit to KwaZulu-Natal.

And his confidence was justified as they edged Abafana Bes’thende 3-2 in a thrilling Absa Premiership encounter at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium.

United broke the deadlock after 27 minutes. Evans Rusike’s towering header gave the visitors the lead after he benefited from a well-weighted Aubrey Modiba cross from the right flank.

Two minutes later they dou- bled their advantage through new signing Mxolisi Macuphu, who netted a similar goal to that of Rusike’s, only this time, Tebogo Mokoena was the man who produced the assist.

As the saying goes: “football is a game of two halves”, and this encounter was the epitome of that as Arrows found their rhythm in the second half.

Steve Komphela had made a bold move after 32 minutes when he brought on veteran midfielder Musa Bilankulu in the place of Wayde Jooste.

After much probing, Arrows won a penalty in the 56th minute when Clayton Daniels handled in the box. Knox Mutizwa stepped up to fire home and inspired the hosts’ comeback.

Shortly afterwards, Danny Venter set up Brandon Parusnath for the equaliser and Tembo responded with the introduction of defender Grant Kekana.

George Lebese was handed his SuperSport debut in the 67th minute, replacing Modiba and making his first domestic appearance since the last Absa Premiership match of last season when his parent club Mamelodi Sundowns claimed the championship in Bloemfontein.

SuperSport reclaimed their lead in style with Mokoena’s gorgeous strike screaming past goalkeeper Nkosingiphile Gumede.

This was Komphela’s first loss since arriving in December.