Superport United Edge Out GU

Staff Writer | Monday February 10, 2014 15:23

 

 

GU will now have to score three times at home in the second leg this weekend without conceding in order to advance to the next stage.

The Reds, who a few years ago caused a shock by  dumping another South African side and former African champions, Orlando Pirates out of the CAF Champions League, missed numerous scoring chances and paid for it. Speaking during a media briefing, last week, GU coach, David Bright had said they will try and attack Supersport United and see if they can get an away goal and then protect it. They did create chances but could not get the all-important goal, leaving them with a difficult task in the return leg. Senegalese striker, Mame Niang scored both goals at Lucas Moripe Stadium to give Supersport the advantage. Before the match, Bright had warned about the danger posed by the tall striker.

He redeemed himself after an earlier miss in the 10th minute with a sublime finish off the outside of his boot from a Lebogang Manyama cross. The were at it again in the 20th minute when Manyama broke loose on the right and played a low cross to Niang, who doubled his tally.

A minute later, Gaborone United had a chance to pull one back when Mandla Mgadla fired a shot which Rowan Williams blocked. Manyama won a free-kick in the 22nd minute which Sameehg Doutie played high into the box but Noah Maposa managed to punch the ball away under pressure from Niang. Supersport were forced to make a change at the start of the second half when Boalefa Pule replaced goalkeeper Rowen Williams, who suffered a groin injury.

Gaborone United nearly pulled one back in the 54th minute as Jackie Mothatego turned well and let go a scorcher that beat the diving Pule and flew past the top left corner.

Niang was denied a hat-trick in the 58th minute as his effort from the spot struck the upright.

In the 62nd minute, Mgadla, who was GU’s standout player found himself at the end of a good cross in the box but was denied by the woodwork after he beat Pule. Supersport were dealt another injury blow when Manyama limped off to be replaced by Bennet Chenene in the 64th minute. GU is expected to play an attacking game this weekend as they host the Pretoria giants in the return leg. It is not clear whether defender, Gobonyeone Selefa and striker, Moemedi Moatlhaping will be available for the tie. The two did not travel with the team to Pretoria for various reasons. Moatlhaping was said to be having personal problems and was given time off while Selefa is said to have failed to travel because he does not have a passport. (Additional reporting by Supersport)