SuperSport ease past misfiring Leopards

by Bertin Basson

Sunday Sep 23, 2018. 17:04

SuperSport United returned to winning ways in the Absa Premiership with a 4-0 thumping of Black Leopards at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Sunday afternoon.

James Keene (brace), Aubrey Modiba and Evans Rusike found the back of the net for the hosts with the win the ideal shot in the arm ahead of next weekend's MTN8 final.

Matsatsantsa opened the scoring within the second minute of the clash as Keene powered an unstoppable header past King Ndlovu following an inch-perfect cross by Siyabonga Nhlapo.

Fagrie Lakay then sent a rasping shot inches wide of goal before teeing up Rusike in similar fashion to the move that resulted in the opener, but the latter could only succeed in guiding his attempt straight at the goalkeeper.

Nyiko Sibanda then cleared Keene's shot off the line before Leopards captain Marks Munyai guided a header attempt onto his own woodwork with Matsatsantsa all over their visitors in the early exchanges.

SuperSport finally doubled their lead following wave-after-wave of attack as Modiba tapped into an opened net in the 33rd minute. The versatile midfielder on hand to double the hosts lead before the break following a pin-point cross by Rusike.

Rusike made sure of the result in the 70th minute of the clash as he continued his good start to he season. The goal-provider turned scorer as he topped a weaving run with an expert finish.

SuperSport weren't done just yet and made it four in the 87th minute. Ndlovu did well to deny Rusike who broke through on goal, but Keene was on hand to pounce on the loose ball to complete his brace and duly seal all three points for the hosts.

Victory moves Matsatsantsa up to fifth while Leopards fall to the bottom of the log standings.

SuperSport United (2) 4 (Keene 2' 87' Modiba 33' Rusike 70')

Black Leopards (0) 0

SuperSport United: Williams; Nhlapo, Khumalo, Daniels, Bhasera, Mokoena, Furman (Ntshangase 72'), Rusike, Lakay (Lungu 73'), Modiba (Letsholonyane 68'), Keene.

Black Leopards: Ndlovu; Munyai, Masia, Sibanda, Zulu, Nange, Mokoena (Hlongwane 61'), Nene, Khutlang (Mhlongo 43'), Ndlovu (Nevhulamba 87'), Kapinga.