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Grobler brace condemns Pirates in Mbombela

football14 August 2019 19:38| © Backpage TXT
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SuperSport United evoked memories of that famous Absa Premiership drubbing handed out to Orlando Pirates at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit three years ago, with a 3-0 win over the same opponents at the same venue on Wednesday evening.

Bradley Grobler netted a brace for the hosts before Ghampani Lungu added a third on another memorable night for Matsatsanta in the Mpumalanga province.

Notorious for their positive play, both teams started the game in attack mode before a stoppage in play in the 15th minute halted all the early momentum. Wayne Sandilands was forced into a change of kit with his light blue clashing with United's dark blue.

With all protocol now seemingly observed, the two teams went about their ways once more with the first noteworthy chance falling to the visitors in the 27th minute.

Fortune Makaringe raced into the box before meeting a pin-point cross with his head, but Ronwen Williams was on hand to keep the ball from bulging the back of the net.

A change of kit did Sandilands no favours as his miscued pass five minutes later almost resulted in the game's opener.

Lucky for the shot-stopper, though, Sipho Mbule failed to hit the target with his resulting effort when he should've opted to pass instead.

Grobler duly opened the scoring in the 35th minute following a mistake from Thabiso Monyane. His attempted back pass was intercepted by Grobler who pounced to give Matsatsanta the lead the break.

The forward doubled his tally and SuperSport's advantage in the 54th minute following more woeful defending by the Buccaneers.

This time the forward showed superb technique to hammer the ball home for his eighth goal in 16 games against the Soweto giants after Pirates failed to clear their lines.

Lungu provided the finishing touches to an impressive display as he ran onto a through ball from Grobler before sliding the ball into the back of the net to complete the riot.

Victory moves SuperSport up to eighth, a place above Pirates who fall to ninth after two rounds of fixtures.

SuperSport United (1) 3 (Grobler 35' 54' Lungu 69')

Orlando Pirates (0) 0

TEAMS:

SuperSport United: Williams; Nhlapo, Kekana, Daniels, Bhasera, Furman, Mokoena, Mbule, Mahachi (Lungu 46'), Rusike (Gabuza 76'), Grobler (Khumalo 85').

Orlando Pirates: Sandilands; Jele, Ndengane (Lorch 46'), Chabalala, Maela, Monyane, Motshwari, Nyatama (Shonga 46'), Makaringe (Memela 67'), Mulenga, Mhango.

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