Tembo’s men hold their nerve
Michaelson Gumede
SuperSport United overcame a stoppage-time equaliser to beat Polokwane City 6-5 on penalties and advance to the quarterfinals of the Telkom Knockout yesterday.
When Thuso Phala broke his 13-month goal drought, he thought he had inspired the Kaitano Tembo-led side to a 1-0 win at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
Edgar Manaka’s header levelled matters, however and took the tie into extra-time.
Still, it was the capital city-based side who came through in the shootout.
City goalkeeper Harold Ndlovu, who was deputizing for injured George Chigova, picked up a knee injury in the second half of extra-time and cast doubt about his mobility in the shoot-out.
In regulation time, it took the host 53 minutes to register a shot on target as Manaka dispatched a longrange strike, gathered by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams as his attempt was directed straight to the Matsatsantsa skipper on the day in the absence of club captain Dean Furman, who picked up a shoulder injury in the preparations for the match.
City went into the match boasting an undefeated streak of six games, which include impressive Absa Premiership wins against Kaizer Chiefs and Bidvest Wits.
This was in contrast to United’s winless run in their last three games.
Tembo made three changes to the line-up which drew 1-1 against Baroka FC last time out in the league, restoring veteran defender Bongani Khumalo to the starting XI and giving Reneilwe Letsholonyane his ninth appearance of the season in all competitions.
The United mentor was the first to turn to his bench and called on pacey winger Phala, who came on for Bafana Bafana international Aubrey Modiba in the 70th minute. Five minutes later, Jozef Vukusic made a change of his own and brought striker Walter Musona, who replaced Mohammed Anas.
Both coaches made a substitution each in extra-time, with Vukusic bringing on Salulani Phiri and withdrawing Bongile Booi. Tembo introduced defender Richard Boateng to add numbers to his backline as Ghampani Lungu made way.