Poor keeping, misses cost SuperSport

A HORROR goalkeeping performance by Ronwen Williams and some dreadful misses right in front of goal cost SuperSport United the chance to all but seal the African Confederation Cup in the first leg of the final in Lubumbashi yesterday afternoon.

But the South Africans will still be hopeful they will be able to overturn a 2-1 deficit and go on and win a first-ever continental title. They need only win 1-0 in Saturday’s return leg in Atteridgeville to take the trophy on the away goals rule.

The potentially vital away goal came from 19-year-old Sipho Mbule‚ making only his second start for the club‚ who were beset by suspension and injury going into the game.

He hit a stinging long range shot into the back of the net to announce his arrival on the big stage with aplomb.

The 47th-minute equaliser came after Mazembe had taken the lead through Adama Traore and before Daniel Adjei got a 67th-minute winner.

A hot afternoon on a bouncy artificial surface was always going to be difficult for SuperSport but they were surprisingly dominant coming out of the blocks‚ although by the end of the game they looked tired.

In the closing stages‚ Mazembe were denied a clear penalty when Dean Furman brought down substitute Solomon Asante and the oversight by the Algerian referee Mehdi Abid Charef was a massive bonus for Eric Tinkler’s team.

There was even another legitimate-looking appeal right on the final whistle when Tefu Mashamaite handled the ball but it was not seen by the officials.