SUPERSPORT United secured their first point of the Betway Premiership after they were held to a goalless draw by Royal AM at the Tshwane University of Technology on Saturday.
Andre Arendse took charge of his second match in a row following Gavin Hunt’s red card in the MTN8 clash against Orlando Pirates. Both teams were greeted to tricky windy cold conditions in the nation’s capital.
The homeside’s improved showing in the second half was not enough for them to break the deadlock as the KZN side collected their second point of the campaign in a match of few clear cut opportunities.
Matsatsantsa a Pitori in their first home game of the season struggled to settle into a rhythm and the same could be said for the visitors who were wasteful in attack.
Royal AM coach John Maduka was happy with his side’s overall performance even though he felt the first half could have been better.
“Very difficult game, not the game we wanted, especially playing against a team that is so difficult to play against, they can play long balls and they go wide and put in crosses. The first half we wanted to play the same game and that was not us and it was very difficult for us to combine, even to make two or three passes, even to get into the final third.
“But at halftime we spoke, and we said we must play our game, but maybe our decision making let us down but the second half was much better than the first half.”
Siphesihle Msomi came in for Andile Mpisane but it was Motebang Sera’s half-volleyed attempt in the 48th minute that almost had a telling impact, and the better of Ricardo Goss, but narrowly missing the 30-year-old’s near post.
The home side found momentum and showed more purpose and intent. They came close to taking the lead in the 57th minute off the head of Siviwe Magidigidi from a corner kick but his effort went over the bar.
Minutes ticked by and the home side seemed the more likely to register the first goal, substitute Brooklyn Poggenpoel’s sublime chip found Siphesihle Ndlovu but his header lacked the necessary power and was easily collected by Xolani Ngcobo.
Ndlovu reset laced himself up and he would soon create the best chance of the half, sending through a thunderbolt that needed Ngcobo to be at his acrobatic best. Ngcobo tipped the 27-year-old’s effort over the bar, denying any twist as the spoils were shared.
Asked about the contribution of club chairman Mpisane, Maduka said he sees the improvements from the attacking midfielder but the team in general needs to start their next games better.
“It’s very important for us going forward to start the game well, because there will be teams that come against you, score and close the door, and you don’t have a chance. We can’t wait for the second half to start playing, if we can win the game in the first half, let us win the game in the first half and enjoy the second half,” said Maduka.
“It is very difficult against Andile, an opponent that doesn’t give you time and space. But so far so good, there are certain areas he needs to improve on and we will keep working on those and we look forward to the next game.”