Sunday’s 1-1 draw between SuperSport United and Swallows FC concluded the first half of the 2022-23 Premiership season at Lucas Moripe Stadium.
Gavin Hunt’s SuperSport missed out on the opportunity to move from third to second place behind league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns due to the draw. Richards Bay continue to hold second place.
Swallows stay in 14th place, just ahead of Sekhukhune United (15th) and Maritzburg United (16th), who are also in danger of relegation (16th).
The season resumes on 30 December following a six-week hiatus caused by the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
In the first half, when they held a tiny 52-48 percent possession lead, SuperSport failed to capitalize on their good fortune. This gave SuperSport extra time in the Swallows’ half, where they took seven attempts, just four of which were on target.
Expert marksman Bradley Grobelaar, one of the league’s top scorers, botched a penalty kick in the twenty-fifth minute. Referee Tshidiso Maruping cautioned Swallows defender Yagan Sasman for committing a foul against SuperSport’s Thamsanqa Gabuza. As Grobler attempted the penalty kick, he slipped and missed the uprights.
SuperSport central defender Thulani Hlatshwayo’s header was narrowly off target as he advanced into the penalty area and rose well to meet a cross in the box.
Ten minutes into the second half, when SuperSport won a corner kick, he made amends for his miss. Hlatshwayo opened the scoring after the Swallows’ defense failed to deal with the set-piece well. It was the first league goal scored by Hlatshwayo in three seasons.
Lindokuhle Mtshali, a replacement, scored the equalizer in the final minute to save a point for his team, Swallows, just when it appeared like the Swallows were doomed.