SuperSport United coach Kaitano Tembo says his team showed character in their 1-0 win over Maritzburg United, and was happy for Iqraam Rayners, who got the goal that saw them qualify for the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup.
Rayners grabbed the winner two minutes from the end of the 90, as SuperSport maintained their unbeaten record against the Team of Choice in cup competitions.
Tembo said he was pleased to Rayners not give up after missing two good chances in the first half.
“Look, I think we had a very good start, we started very well,” Tembo told the club’s media department.
“We dealt with their threat which was the long, the first and the second ball, and we gathered the second ball and played from the second ball.
“And the second thing which we did very well, I think in possession we were making runs behind the three centre backs that say (Ryan) Rae,(Alfred) Ndengane, as well as Clayton Daniels.
“And we had space with Keegan Ritchie going up as well as a (Nicholus) Lukhubeni.
“So that gave us a little joy there, I think we had three good opportunities there.
“Second half it changed a little bit, I think they dominated, especially in the midfield.
“But we knew that coming here you needed to work a little bit more, and suffer a little bit for us to get a result, and I think that’s what we did.
“Quite happy with Iqraam there, he had good two good chances in the first half, but he never gave up, he kept on going, and a good goal that he scored.
“But overall I think today we showed character that’s the cornerstone of our team. Good work ethic, we fight up until the end and congratulations to the boys.”
