MACHAKOS, Kenya – It was another disappointing day for SuperSport United after they lost 1-0 to Kenyan giants Gor Mahia in a Caf Confederation Cup first leg playoff at the Machakos Stadium near Nairobi on Sunday.
The Tshwane team are also only three points above the drop zone domestically, and have won only three of their last 22 matches in all competitions – stretching back to November last year, shortly after they lost in the 2017 Confederation Cup final.
Gor Mahia made an encouraging start in front of their home fans on Sunday as George Odhiambo had a shot deflected wide of goal, before Meddie Kagere fired wide in the 10th minute.
SuperSport’s first chance came when Luke le Roux picked out Morgan Gould with a 15th-minute cross, but the latter headed wide.
The game remained evenly balanced as SuperSport keeper Reyaad Pieterse tipped over a free kick from Odhiambo, before Le Roux missed the target after a superb through-ball from Thuso Phala.
More chances were exchanged before the break as Francis Kahata’s free kick skimmed over the goal at one end, while Phala drew a save out of Gor Mahia stopper Boniface Oluoch following a surging run.
Matsatsantsa had another opening five minutes after halftime when Sipho Mbule headed over the bar, but the Kenyans were close to scoring at the opposite end when Odhiambo was kept out by a brilliant Pieterse save.
The visiting keeper followed that up with a couple more saves as the Kenyans increased the pressure, but there was little he could do to stop Gor Mahia taking the lead 11 minutes from time when Jacques Tuyisenge converted a penalty.
SuperSport pushed for the equaliser, but K’Ogalo, as the Kenyan champions are known, were able to hang on to their slender lead, which they will take to Pretoria for the second leg on April 17.