Ten-man SuperSport United beat Tshwane rivals University of Pretoria 1-0 in an Absa Premiership encounter at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in a blustery Atteridgeville on Friday evening.

Lebogang Manyama’s first goal for the club moved Matsatsantsa into second place on the log, 10 points off Kaizer Chiefs, who beat Moroka Swallows 2-0 in Dobsonville.

SuperSport United coach Cavin Johnson made three changes to the side that lost 1-0 to AmaZulu in midweek. Sameehg Doutie returned to the starting line-up, while youngster Brandon Dean and Dino Ndlovu were handed their first starts for the club.

Fullback Thato Mokeke, who joined Matsatsantsa on deadline day from Ajax Cape Town, was included on the bench.

Meanwhile, Steve Barker included youngster Thabo Mnyamane in the starting line-up, while there was also a debut for loanee Raymond Monama. Monama is on-loan at Tuks from neighbours Mamelodi Sundowns.

Both teams were labelled ‘draw kings’ last season for amassing 17 and 16 draws in the league respectively, but it looked like neither were settling for a draw this time around as both coaches named attacking starting XIs.

United opened the scoring through Lebogang Manyama in the ninth minute following a sustained spell of pressure.

Skhumbuzo Mazibuko’s cross was met by Manyama, who converted from close range. The goal was his first for the Tshwane-based club.

Despite both sides showing attacking intent, they were struggling to create any clear-cut chances as the half grew on, this was largely due to the terrible weather conditions which seemed to deteriorate progressively.

It continued to pour down after the interval, with the visibility continuing to decline.

Geofrey Massa went close for the visitors in the 54th minute, his powerful free-kick from 30-yards just clearing Ronwen Williams’s crossbar.

The home side were dealt a massive blow in the 67th minute. Aupa Moeketsi received his marching orders following a dangerous tackle on Ronald Ketjijere.

Barker brought on winger Khethukuthula Zwane in the 72nd minute as he looked to make his one-man advantage count.

Matsatsantsa, though, were continuing to create chances and were it not for a brilliant covering tackle from captain Tebogo Monyai, Dino Ndlovu would’ve double the hosts’ lead in the 75th minute.

Ndlovu outwitted Washington Arubi, but Monyai denied the striker a second goal for the club.

AmaTuks continued to press, with Bevan Fransman notably clearing a close range effort off the line in the dying minutes of the match.

AmaTuks remain in 10th spot on the log following the loss.

SuperSport United (1) 1 (Manyama 9’)

University of Pretoria 0

Teams:

SuperSport United: Willams; Fransman, Diouf, Doutie, Mkhabela, Ndlovu (Niang 87’), Mmanyama, Nel, Moeketsi, Dean (Mokeke 77’), Mazibuko (Chenene 28’)

University of Pretoria: Arubi; Kekana, Matsi. Mkhwanazi, Moussono-Moussono, Ketjijere (Selolwane 84’), Monyai, Massa, Maruping (Zwane 72’), Mnyamane, Monama (Mosadi 60’)