Polokwane - Jeremy Brockie's second-half strike secured a 1-0 win for SuperSport United over Orlando Pirates in a Nedbank Cup Round of 16 tie at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday evening.
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The January acquisition continued his red hot form, netting a stunning goal with 17 minutes remaining to bring the Buccaneers 13 game unbeaten run in all competitions to an abrupt end.
After kick-off had been postponed by 15 minutes due to load shedding, SuperSport set proceedings alight with a bright start to the game.
The hosts came out firing with former Buccaneer Daine Klate eager to make an early impact.
Brockie had a succession of chances for Gordon Igesund's men in the opening exchanges with Brighton Mhlongo forced into a good save to deny the New Zealand international from with four minutes on the clock.
The Pirates gloves man well positioned to catch the striker's glancing header.
Mhlongo was again called into action eight minutes later, this time to deny Mor Diouf from close range. The SuperSport centre-back latched onto David Mathebula's cross, but Mhlongo was there to smother his attempt.
SuperSport continued to boss proceedings with Brockie doing well to shrug of Happy Jele before sending his right-footed attempt over the crossbar in the 25th minute.
Ronwen Williams, who was a mere spectator in the opening half-hour was finally tested in the 37th minute as the momentum started to shift in the visitors favour.
The SuperSport shot stopper denying former team-mate Kermit Erasmus twice in quick succession, both times plucking the ball off the attackers feet.
An exciting half ultimately ended goalless with Igesund the more frustrated at the break as his troops failed to capitalise on their early dominance.
In contrast to the first, the second stanza got off to a slow start with neither side taking the game by the horns.
The teams were evenly matched with the first chance falling to Oupa Manyisa just after the hour mark, his header flying just wide.
With Pirates seemingly grabbing the upper hand Brockie produced a moment of magic. The burly striker pealed of his marker, before firing in Mathebula's precise through ball on the volley and into the back of the net.
The striker showing incredible technique to oust Mhlongo who had no chance.
This sparked Pirates into life who went in desperate search of the equaliser, but SuperSport hold on to secure their place in the last eight.
Source: sport24.co.za
