Bidvest Wits 0-3 SuperSport United: In-form Matsatsantsa advance to MTN8 semi-finals

SuperSport United advanced to the 2019 MTN8 semi-finals after thrashing Bidvest Wits 3-0 in a quarter-final match on Sunday afternoon.

Gavin Hunt made two changes to the team which took on Polokwane City in a Premier Soccer League (PSL) match, which ended in a 1-0 win in favour of Wits in midweek.

The attack-minded duo of Hashim Domingo and Terance Dzvukamanja made their return to the Clever Boys starting line-up.

On the other hand, Kaitano Tembo made only one change to his starting line-up which faced Orlando Pirates in a PSL game in midweek.

Experienced marksman Thamsanqa Gabuza was handed a starting berth by Tembo as Matsatsantsa looked to secure another win, having thrashed Pirates 3-0.

The hosts allowed Matsatsantsa to dominate possession with Hunt's charges looking to play on the counter.

Siyabonga Nhlapo had to produce a world-class interception to deny Carl Lark a strike at goal with just the goalkeeper to beat following a quick move by Wits.

SuperSport were looking to play crosses into the hosts' box for Gabuza, who had a chance to open the scoring just before the half-time break.

The former Pirates striker connected with Evans Rusike's cross, but Wits keeper Brandon Peterson was well-positioned to make a save.

The two teams were locked at 0-0 at the interval following a first half which had limited clear-cut chances.  
 
The visitors started the second half like a house on fire as they applied some pressure on the Wits defence and they soon grabbed two well-taken goals.

Sipho Mbule's low shot deflected off Wits captain Thulani Hlatshwayo and Bradley Grobler pounced and fired past Peterson to make it 1-0 to SuperSport in the 56th minute.

In-form frontman Grobler had also scored within the first 15 minutes of the second half during Matsatsantsa's impressive win over Pirates.

SuperSport doubled their lead when Nhlapo's delightful cross found Gabuza and the lanky forward headed home to make it 2-0 to the visitors four minutes after the hour-mark.

Hunt responded by introducing Gift Motupa as the Braamfontein-based side looked to grab at least two late goals against Tembo's charges.

However, Matsatsantsa did not sit back and defend their two-goal lead as they continued to attack and they were awarded a penalty after Zitha Macheke had fouled Kudakwashe Mahachi in the penalty box.

Gabuza then stepped up and beat Peterson from the spot-kick to complete his brace and also seal SuperSport's 3-0 victory over Wits on the day.

The emphatic victory saw SuperSport join  Mamelodi Sundowns, Polokwane City and Highlands Park in the semi-finals, while Wits crashed out of the tournament.