United come out tops in five-goal thriller

SUPERSPORT United ended Steve Komphela’s unbeaten record as the coach of Lamontville Golden Arrows in a thrilling encounter yesterday afternoon at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont.

Teboho Mokoena produced a moment of magic to grab the three points for Matsatsantsa A Pitori at the death.

Komphela was on a five match unbeaten streak in his tenure with Abafana Bes’thende across all competitions.

Arrows came from two down but couldn’t hold on for a draw.

Nkosingiphe Gumede made a significant save to keep SuperSport at bay in the early stages of the game. Aubrey Modiba picked out Bradley Grobler who did well to beat the offside trap but Gumede produced a fine save to deny the Bafana striker.

SuperSport bossed the midfield in the first half with Dean Furman and Mokoena orchestrating things in the middle of the park.

Arrows finally succumbed to the pressure when Evans Rusike found the back of the net with an exquisite header 27 minutes into the game. Modiba was the provider.

Two minutes later Matsatsantsa A Pitori doubled their lead in a similar fashion as the opening goal.

Modiba drilled in a lovely cross and Mxolisi Macupu used his head to finish with aplomb.

Arrows were really struggling to deal with SuperSport in the air which forced Komphela to make his first substitution after 32 minutes. He sacrificed Wade Jooste and brought on Musa Bilankulu.

Gumede made another telling save to deny the menacing Rusike in the first half.

SuperSport should have killed the game off in the first half. They created numerous clear goal scoring opportunities but could not put the game to bed.

Divine Lunga should have reduced the deficit for Arrows but blazed his attempt off target just minutes into the second half.

Arrows came back from the interval rejuvenated. Knox Mutizwa reduced the deficit for Arrows. He converted a penalty in the 55th minute. The penalty came after Clayton Daniels handled the ball inside the box. Mutizwa stepped up and converted. Five minutes later, Seth Parusnath, netted the equaliser. He received a killer pass from Danny Phiri and his finish was perfect.

Mokoena the produced a moment of magic when he scored a cracker to beat Gumede from distance with six minutes left on the clock. The lanky goalkeeper was out of position and Mokoena anticipated that he was off his line and unleashed the sucker punch.