SuperSport still in with a chance

Mnyamane spot kick holds Tunisians

SuperSport United had to fight back to give themselves a glimmer of hope of reaching the CAF Confederation Cup final after their 1-1 draw with Club Africain yesterday.

SuperSport have made it difficult for themselves after failing to beat a Tunisian side that have lost their past four away games in the tournament.

Both teams scored through penalties in the semifinal first leg as Saber Khalifa converted in the first half, while Thabo Mnyamane levelled the score in the 85th minute.

All is not lost for SuperSport to reach the maiden final in the CAF competition.

Coach Eric Tinkler had warned his players to be prepared for psychological warfare and that’s what they had to contend with. SuperSport grew frustrated at some stages with the devious time-wasting tactics of the visitors.

The home side attempted to assert themselves early with striker Jeremy Brockie connecting with strike partner Bradley Grobler in the 12th minute. Grobler delivered the perfect cross, which Brockie headed wide of the target.

Club Africain winger Ibrahim Chenihi was stopped in his tracks by veteran midfielder Dean Furman, when he tried to lay the ball off the striker Khalifa in open space.

Disaster struck as the Tunisians were gifted a suspicious penalty after the ball hit Clayton Daniels on the arm.

Club Africain captain Khalifa put the ball past goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

Matsatsantsa a Pitori had expected Club Africain to throw a number of curve balls, but the referee changed the complexion of the tie. The team’s talismanic striker Brockie did not appear to be his sharpest as he missed another opportunity – a header he failed to direct downwards in the 69th minute after a cross from Thuso Phala.

Tinker readjusted his tactics in the 75th minute by replacing Brockie with Dove Wome. That switch delivered the goods as Phala won his team a penalty after the ball hit Ahmed Khelil on the hand.

In another semifinal, TP Mazembe beat FUS Rabat of Morocco 1- 0 in at Lubumbashi. Second legs are scheduled for October 20-22 .

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