SuperSport United suffered a 2-1 defeat to USM Alger in their final CAF Confederation Cup group stage clash on Sunday evening.
SuperSport gave a debut to goalkeeper Samukelo Xulu, while the likes of Keenan Bezuidenhout, Risen Albert, Phathutshedzo Nange and Aphiwe Baliti were also handed starting berths.
Despite all this, SuperSport should’ve gone ahead on five minutes through Selaelo Rasebotja after a cross from Tendamudzimu Matodzi but it was kept out.
USM did though hit the front-foot before the half-hour mark when Xulu lost track of his lines at the back and allowed Abderrahmane Bacha to finish past Xulu.
Matsatsantsa were unable to hit back towards halftime but had to go to the break behind and in desperate need of a comeback.
Coach Gavin Hunt made a substitution just ahead of the resumption when development graduate Thabang Makhubo came on for Rasebotja.
SuperSport were inspired by the introduction and levelled five minutes from the break when Matodzi collected a loose ball to go in a few yards and applied a thumping finish.
Cameroonian-born Leonel Ateba Mbida went close to restoring the lead with a solid effort after grabbing hold of possession, but in the end fired wide.
With the young guns from United hanging on and looking to go toe-to-toe against the Algerians, a set-back followed in the closing quarter as Abdoulaye Kanu restored the lead for the home side.
USM were reduced to ten players in the last minute after defender and captain Zineddine Belaid picked up a second yellow for halting Jabu Matsio’s path to goal.
Matsatsantsa failed to salvage a draw and ended their group stage campaign in the tournament bottom of Group A with USM firmly on top.
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