Kaizer Chiefs went down 1-0 to SuperSport United in DStv Premiership action on Wednesday night.
Veteran goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune made his first start of the season for Chiefs, who named Pule Mmodi on the bench and preferred Christian Saile following the goalless draw with Royal AM on Saturday.
Chiefs were off to a disappointing start as Terrence Dzvukamanja beat Sifiso Hlanti to Bradley Grobler’s cross in the box and volleyed in the top-corner with just a minute played.
The Amakhosi looked for an instant response and it nearly came when Edson Castillo’s glancing header flashed narrowly wide following Ashley Du Preez’s delivery.
Matsatsantsa were forced to make a change on 28 minutes after Ghampani Lungu sustained an injury from a challenge with Sifiso Hlanti and had Keenan Bezuidenhout enter.
Bezuidenhout didn’t take long to get stuck in as he played in a pin-point cross off a corner which Dzvukamanja attacked and drew a superb one-hand save from Khune.
Chiefs pushed the host to the edge following the break in a desperate attempt to pull level, but Gavin Hunt’s men remained tight at the back.
The momentum remained with the Amakhosi during the midway point of the second half as their short-passing patterns before Hlanti’s curling free-kick drew a save off Ricardo Goss.
Matsatsantsa came alive in the last 15 minutes and saw Bezuidenhout miss a golden chance when he scooped a loose ball from a stray pass wide with Khune in no man’s land.
With the game opening up, SuperSport pushed again and saw a ferocious strike from range by Jabu Matsio worked a miraculous save from Khune.
The Amakhosi enjoyed the late momentum in search of the equaliser, but the host remained tight to see out the win.
Confirmed line-ups:
SuperSport United: Goss, Xulu, Okon, Hlatshwayo, Pfumbidzai, Lakay, Nange, Margeman, Lungu, Dzvukamanja, Grobler.
Subs: Arubi, Bhasera, Ighodaro, Moralo, Donn, Rasebotja, Matsio, Bezuidenhout, CampbellKaizer Chiefs: Khune, Hlanti, Ditlokwe, Msimango, Kwinika, Maart, Castillo, Matlou, Saile, Du Preez, Gonzalez
Subs: Bvuma, Zwane, Frosler, Dove, Mdantsane, Chivaviro, Mmodi, Shabalala, Zwane
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