SuperSport United 2-0 Highlands Park: Matsatsantsa cut Kaizer Chiefs' lead at the top of PSL log

SuperSport United recorded their sixth win of the season when they defeated Highlands Park 2-0 in a PSL match which was played on Friday night.

Thabo Mnyamane surprisingly started ahead of Thamsanqa Gabuza in attack as Kaitano Tembo's Matsatsantsa looked to extend their unbeaten run to eight matches in the league.

While Marlon Heugh was preferred ahead of Thela Ngobeni in the Lions of the North goal as Owen Da Gama's side looked to snap their five-match winless run.

Heugh was the busier of the two goalkeepers as SuperSport pushed for an early goal and the keeper had to make two decent saves to deny Mnyamane and Teboho Mokoena.

However, the 29-year-old shot-stopper was beaten 19 minutes into the match after the Highlands Park defence was caught ball watching.

Mokoena delivered a low cross for Mnyamane, who netted with a tap in to make it 1-0 to SuperSport much to the delight of the home crowd.

The hosts searched for another goal and Heugh collided with Matsatsantsa attacker Kukakwashe Mahachi and the Highlands keeper was replaced by Ngobeni on the half-hour mark.

The visitors improved as the half-time break approach, but they were wasteful as Peter Shalulile and Lindokuhle Mbatha both missed the target from close range.

The score was 1-0 to SuperSport at the interval with the hosts having dominated the first half on a rainy night in Tshwane.

Highlands Park continued to attack after the restart as Mokete Mogaila beat his marker, before unleashing a shot which was easily saved by Ronwen Williams in the SuperSport goal-posts.

Shalulile, who has netted eight goals in the league this season, had a chance to score after Williams was caught way off his goal-line, but the Namibian attacker fired straight at the keeper.

The visitors were left to rue to those chances as Bradley Grobler doubled SuperSport's lead in the 71st minute with a powerful left-footed shot to make it 2-0 to the hosts following a quick move.

Da Gama reacted by introducing former SuperSport midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane, who brought stability in midfield for the visitors.

However, the hosts sat back in the closing stages of the match with Tembo having introduced defender Bongani Khumalo and ultimately, SuperSport emerged 2-0 winners over Highlands Park.

Despite the win, SuperSport remained second on the league standings, but they are now seven points behind the leaders Kaizer Chiefs, while Highlands Park remained sixth on the table.