Three games, no win for Kaitano’s successor

PRETORIA. – When they fired Kaitano Tembo earlier this year, the impression among the SuperSport United was that the Zimbabwean coach had become the problem.

They even went back to the basics, during the off-season break, by hiring back Gavin Hunt. One can understand the gamble because Hunt was the coach who led them to the league championship.

He was also Kaitano’s boss.

But, three games into the new season, SuperSport United are yet to win a league match.

They have only one point from their first three matches after a 0-2 defeat to TS Galaxy on Sunday evening.

Galaxy were unchanged from the win over Mamelodi Sundowns, while United recalled Jamie Webber, Aubrey Ngoma and Ghampani Lungu from the loss to AmaZulu,

The Rockets looked for a bright start and came close through a powerful half-volley from Sibusiso Vilakazi, which needed a double save from goalkeeper Baolefa Pule.

Similarly, the visitors launched a half-volley from the edge of the area too courtesy of Webber following a layoff by Bradley Grobler but Melusi Buthelezi saved.

Matsatsantsa added more threats a little later when a corner-kick watched Lungu slam a volley from an unmarked position at the back-post wide of the near post.

The Rockets then needed a save on the goal-line from Buthelezi to thwart a powerful header from Thatayaone Ditlhokwe following a corner.

Those missed chances came back to haunt United, as Given Msimango handed Galaxy the lead after he headed home a corner three minutes to halftime.

Galaxy targeted a second just after the break through penetrative runs across the area by Aphelele Teto and then a smart rasping shot from a clever position by Lindokuhle Mbatha.

Matsatsantsa struggled to find rhythm a little in the second period and eventually conceded a second when Ebrahim Seedat ran in from the blind-spot and slotted home a loose ball.

SuperSport looked for a comeback in the last 20 minutes off a pin-point header by Grobler, but Buthelezi was equal to the task.

It was Grobler’s last involvement in the match after he made way for Thamsanqa Gabuza seconds later as the visitors desperately targeted a turnaround. – KickOff/Sports Reporter.