Johannesburg – SuperSport United held out for a 1-0 win over Orlando Pirates in their interrupted Premiership match at Peter Mokaba Stadium, in Polokwane, on Wednesday afternoon.
The match originally began on Tuesday evening, but play was suspended due to a floodlight failure. One of the floodlights went out at 8.50pm during the 62nd minute which caused play to be halted. SuperSport had led 1-0 after debutant Michael Boxall scored the opener in the 23rd minute of the match.
With the match still delayed at 10.25pm, Premier Soccer League officials suspended the contest. It was later decided the remaining time in the match would be resumed at noon on Wednesday.
Kermit Erasmus pounced on a loose ball in the 74th minute, but his effort was straight at Ronwem Williams in the SuperSport goal.
In added time, Erasmus had another chance from close range but scuffed his attempt across the face of goal. Yet another chance followed less than a minute later, with Erasmus reeling off a powerful strike but Williams again made the block.
On Tuesday, In the fifth minute Pirates threatened for the first time. Thabo Rakhale made the run down the right flank losing SuperSport defender Bongani Khumalo, crossed for Menzi Masuku who in turn laid the ball off for Tendai Ndoro, but the final shot was lofted over the crossbar.
SuperSport worked their way into the game, and had two chances in the 19th minute. With a dangerous ball sent into the area, Issa Sarr did well to head the ball out. From the resultant corner, Boxall met the cross and unleashed a powerful header which Brighton Mhlongo in the Pirates goal did well to punch away.
Ndoro had another chance in the 21st minute, but was off-balance when he met the ball sent into the area and his headed effort did not trouble Williams.
Boxall scored the opener for the visitors in the 23rd minute. David Mathebula launched a cross into the area from a setpiece, and Boxall showing good vision met the ball in an unmarked position and deflected the ball into the back of the net to take a 1-0 lead for his side. - ANA