Swallows and SuperSport United drew 1-1, while Maritzburg United picked up a valuable three points with a controversial 1-0 win over Stellenbosch, as two DStv Premiership matches were played on Tuesday.
Stellenbosch 0-1 Maritzburg United
Maritzburg scored a stoppage time penalty to beat Stellenbosch 1-0 at the DC Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
The home team had a chance from a corner in the 15th minute, but Nathan Sinkala couldn’t get over the ball, and his header flew over. Two minutes later Ashley Du Preez had a good chance too from a long throw, but his header was also off target.
Stellenbosch had another chance in the 26th minute, but Jayden Adams was off target with his attempt from just outside the box.
Daylon Claasen’s deflected effort in the 34th minute was easily dealt with by Sage Stephens, while two minutes later Du Preez had a great chance, but fluffed his shot and Marcel Engelhardt was able to gather.
Travis Graham had a good opportunity for the visitors in the 40th minute, but he was unable to get his first time attempt in front of goal on target.
Du Preez was denied by a save from Engelhardt in the 42nd minute, and Lelethu Skelem’s follow up was off target, and at halftime it remained goalless.
Thabiso Kutumela’s effort from a free kick in the 58th minute flew over Stephens goals, the Stellenbosch goalkeeper not really having to do too much work in the opening hour.
With five minutes to go, the home team had three good chances to get a goal, but Maritzurg’s defence were able to hold out, including a good off the line clearance from Dan Morgan.
The visitors were awarded a penalty in stoppage time when Junior Mendieta was adjudged to have handballed in the box. It was a tough decision on the home team.
Thabiso Kutumela scored in the corner from the spot kick, with Stephens diving the right way.
A big win for Maritzburg, who remain 13th, but move just one point behind Stellies, who remain 12th.
Swallows 1-1 SuperSport United
It was another draw for Swallows, and another game without a win for SuperSport, as it ended 1-1 at the Dobsonville Stadium on Tuesday evening.
It was the 15th draw of the season for Brandon Truter’s team, while SuperSport have now not won in 9 games.
The opening half saw a battle in the middle of the park, but unfortunately there was little to write home about in either final third, and especially with goal attempts. SuperSport perhaps had more opportunities in their opponents’ box, but couldn’t take advantage.
Both teams, who had threatened to have good seasons, have struggled in 2021, and while the league’s top scorers, Bradley Grobler and Ruzaigh Gamildien, were on the pitch, they barely got opportunities.
But just when it looked like the half would be goalless, Fawaaz Basadien put Swallows into the lead in the 46th minute, heading in past George Chigova. The first shot on target for the home team, giving them a 1-0 lead at the break.
Sipho Mbule had a good chance for SuperSport in the 55th minute, but his attempt was well saved by Virgil Vries. A minute later Gamildien tested Chigova, but the big Zimbabwean was up to the task.
SuperSport went close again on the hour mark from a corner, but Junaid Sait was able to head the ball off the line, onto the crossbar and into Chigova’s hands.
Substitute Daniel Gozar had a good effort in the 69th minute from outside the box, but Chigova did well to save.
SuperSport were finally level in the 77th minute through Mbule, as he powerfully headed in from Keenan Phillips’ excellent cross.
Gozar should have scored in the 82nd minute, but after having a free header, the Swallows striker couldn’t find the target, and put it wide. A minute later substitute Kgaogelo Sekgota tested Chigova, but the SuperSport keeper was able to pull off a save.
Grobler had a great chance to win the game for the visitors in the 89th minute, but his shot from inside the box flew over the goal.
