SuperSport United managed to maintain their unbeaten record at home in the DStv Premiership this season as they came back from one goal down to take a point against Richards Bay.
Sunday afternoon’s 1-1 draw ensured Gavin Hunt’s side remained unbeaten at the Lucas Moripe Stadium as they remain in third place behind defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns and Natal Rich Boys.
Abel Mabaso may have had a PlayStation assist for Richards Bay late in the first half when he played well past Luvuyo Memela, whose strike was breath-taking, but goalkeeper Ricardo Goss was up to it. task as he made a fine save.
READ ALSO: Mokwena still wants more as Sundowns break top flight records
Goalkeeper Jamal Salim then played a long ball to Sanele Barns and it looked like United captain Onismor Bhasera had things under control, as Goss came off the line to collect.
However, there was a miscommunication between Goss and ‘Bash’, which allowed Barns to thumb-poke the ball away from the duo, and he went around Goss before slotting in the third goal of the season.
Natal Rich Boys panicked when Salim went down twice in the space of five minutes. He had so much discomfort with his ankle that he couldn’t take a goal kick.
The fight
Going into the final 10 minutes of the game, Gavin Hunt rolled the dice and made some changes. They took Bradley Grobler, Gamphani Lungu, Patrick Maswanganyi and Thapelo Maseko and brought in the more direct Thamsanqa Gabuza, Iqraam Rayners, Jamie Webber and Thabang Sibanyoni.
READ ALSO: Arthur Zwane: Sinking or cooking at Kaizer Chiefs?
It proved to be a master troke for Hunt as it took five minutes for Rayners to find Gabuza on the left. The veteran forward played what he hoped was a cross, but a deflection off defender Kaketso Majadibodu turned the ball into the back of the net for an own goal.
Goss was the hero for the hosts in the 88th minute. The midfielder pointed to the penalty spot after he adjudged that Keegan Johannes had fouled Somila Ntsundwana on the edge of the box. But Goss saved the spot kick.