Although SuperSport United's coach Gavin Hunt once again proved the master tactician, his side had to settle for a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw against visiting Stellenbosch at the Lucas Moripe Stadium, Atteridgeville, on Saturday evening.
SuperSport were content to give Stellenbosch the lion's share of possession, which was 69%, yet they fashioned far more scoring opportunities. With their meagre 31% possession SuperSport led the shots on goal count 12-4. Their pressure in the final third also allowed them to enjoy a 5-2 corner count advantage over Stellenbosch.
Delivery: Pin-point 🎯
— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) December 28, 2024
Finish: Emphatic 💥
A goal straight from the training ground 🔥
pic.twitter.com/ywqbz8uWuT
Against this background, Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker was highly relieved with the solitary match point after denying SuperSport a third successive win. Stellenbosch are in fifth place on the standings with 16 points followed by Sekhukhune United (sixth) and SuperSport (seventh). The three teams are all in 16 points but are separated by goal difference.
"I think it was an evenly matched game. I think overall, a fair result. We started well by getting the early lead through Jayden (Adams)," said Barker.
"Afterwards there was a good response from SuperSport. They got themselves back in the game. And then I think the game ebb and flowed.
“Sometimes, it looked like they were a bit on top of us, while other times, it looked like we might be able to get something. It would always be just maybe a half chance that gets taken here or there in the second half.
"I thought it was two teams trying to impose the way they wanted to play on each other. SuperSport did things well, and it showed with the goal they scored. I was a little bit disappointed in conceding that way.
"We tried to impose ourselves on the game by building up once we found pockets of space and trying to get in behind. SuperSport has always been difficult to score against."
Saturday's match closed out a hectic 2024 for Stellenbosch, who because of CAF commitments, has been one of the busiest clubs in South Africa.
"It was a good point away from home. It was a good year for us since the start of 2024, and it was our 42nd game of the year," said Barker. "We played a lot of football, and it is time to return to Cape Town.
"We want to get the legs rested and look forward to a big 2025. I think we'll have a couple of days off to come back after the New Year first. We are desperate to get to the knockout stages (of the CAF Confed Cup) and also to continue doing well in the (Betway) league."
Stellenbosch return to action next Sunday when they host Angola's Lunda Sul in a CAF Confederation Cup Group B match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria. No CAF-approved venues were available in the Mother City.
Three days later, Stellenbosch will play Kaizer Chiefs in a Premiership match at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. The following Sunday (January 12), they are back at Loftus to Mali's Stade Malien in a return Confederation Cup Group B clash. | Independent Media Sport