Johannesburg – Kingston Nkhatha made the perfect start to his SuperSport United career, scoring on debut, but had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Free State Stars at Lucas Moripe Stadium, in Atteridgeville, on Wednesday evening.
Having completed his move from Kaizer Chiefs in January, Nkhatha wasted little time getting himself acclimatised to life at SuperSport, scoring just seven minutes into an otherwise dull clash against a plucky Free State side in Pretoria.
But second half goals from Mbuyiselo Thethani and Hendrik Somaeb demolished United's two-goal half-time cushion in what was a game of two very different halves.
Thuso Phala, who provided Nkhatha with the assist, scored three minutes after Nkhtaha, putting Ea Lla Koto on the back foot barely 10 minutes into the tie.
But a late comeback denied Gordon Igesund's troops what looked like three straightforward points when their 2-0 advantage looked a mountain to high to climb for the visitors from Bethlehem.
SuperSport started the day in 12th spot and were in line to move back into the top eight, but were held by a resilient Stars outfit who walk away the happier of the two.
The visitors made headway in the second half and pulled one back through young Thethani, before Somaeb added the second as a disappointed United had to settle for a point when three looked all but wrapped up with minutes left on the clock.
Igesund named Nkhatha in his starting line-up, with fellow new signing Jeremy Brockie starting from the bench, in an otherwise familiar formation, with Phala and Dove Wome combining brilliantly with Nkhatha at the head of the attack.
United's intentions were clear from the off, as Nkhatha brushed his markers aside, latched onto Phala's pinpoint delivery over the top and finishing with a cultured left-footed effort at the far post.
The Matsatsantsa faithful showed their gratitude with a rousing round of applause for the Zimbabwean international, who was known for his fractious relationship with Amakhosi supporters for his often erratic finishing.
Phala was keen to get in on the action and soon picked up a ball outside the box, danced his way around a host of defenders and expertly curled his shot around Glenn Verbauwhade, doubling SuperSport's lead in the space of three breathless minutes.
The rest of the half saw little in the way of chances, which carried into the second period where both units looked flat and unimaginative going forward.
Danny Venter was one of the few visitors to have a crack at goal, shooting from some way out but ultimately failing to test Ronwen Williams, who didn't have to move and covered easily with a simple stop.
Coming on early in the second half, Thethani breathed life back into the game when he unleashed a vicious shot that beat Williams on 79 minutes, making for a nervy end as Stars looked the more likely to make something happen in front of goal.
Ten minutes later, Stars denied SuperSport the win as Somaeb broke hearts with his strike in the dying minutes, earning Stars a valuable point as they continue in the race against relegation with the season now heading into the latter stages. – Sapa