Brockie helps SuperSport win v Maritzburg

Jeremy Brockie's first-half goal secured a 1-0 win for SuperSport United over Maritzburg United in an Absa Premiership encounter at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday afternoon.

The win keeps Matsatsantsa's unblemished record away from home against Maritzburg in tact. The Tshwane side have yet to taste defeat in nine away games against Maritzburg.

SuperSport subsequently climb into seventh spot on the log while Maritzburg drop to ninth.

Steve Komphela recalled Terrance Mandaza to the starting eleven for The Team of Choice while SuperSport United also only made a solitary change to their line-up. The returning Thuso Phala preferred to Daine Klate.

Both teams were restricted to half chances in the opening 20 minutes with the first shot in anger falling to David Mathebula in the 26th minute. The midfielder's grass cutter from long range flying just wide of Virgil Vries' right-hand post.

Phala had the ball in the back of the net for the visitors just before the half hour mark, but the assistant's flag was raised for offside.

SuperSport though would find their goal with 38 minutes on the clock. Kingston Nkhatha picked out Brockie who lost his marker to tap in from close range unmarked, his sixth goal in eight starts for Matsatsantsa.

The goal sparked the hosts into action with Abel Mabaso and Ryan De Jongh seeing their respective efforts come to nothing just before the break.

Maritzburg showed great intent following the interval with Deolin Mekoa going close to finding the equaliser three minutes after the interval. His his volley at the far post failing to trouble Ronwen Williams.

SuperSport should have been 2-0 up in the 56th minute after Mathebula dispossessed De Jongh, but instead of laying it off to an unmarked Nkhatha he tried to slip it through Vries' legs, but the Maritzburg shot stopper was up to the task.

The home side had their chances with Mondli Cele forcing Ronwe Williams into a top save before Kwanda Mngonyama directed his header attempt straight at the United gloves man with six minutes remaining.

Williams was again called into action in the 87th minute, this time to deny second-half substitute Mohau Mokate with an equally stunning save to keep SuperSport's noses in front.

Mohammed Anas missed a catalogue of chances for the home side in the dying moments as the Team of Choice dropped out of the top eight.

Maritzburg United (0) 0

SuperSport United (1) 1 (Brockie 38')

Maritzburg United: Vries, Mabaso, Mngonyama, Paintsil, Mkhize, Lentjies, Zulu, Mekoa, Cele (Mokate 84'), De Jongh (Vilakazi 63'), Mandaza (Anas 47')

SuperSport United: Williams, Daniels, Diouf, Khumalo, Mkhabela, Phala, Mathebula, Chapman, Wome (Grobler 70'), Brockie (Morton 59'), Nkhatha (Manyama 80')