Bradley Grobler's hat-trick inspires SuperSport United to victory

By SABC Sport
26th October 2023

Bradley Grobler scored a hat-trick to lead SuperSport United to a convincing 3-1 win over Royal AM at TUT Stadium.

The match kicked off with both teams feeling the pressure, but it was SuperSport who broke the deadlock. Kegan Johannes delivered a pinpoint cross that found Bradley Grobler in the box. Grobler capitalized on the opportunity from close range, neatly tapping the ball into the net to take the early lead.

Royal AM attempted to mount a response, with Dzvukamanja's header narrowly missing the target, kissing the post, while goalkeeper Hugo Nyame had to parry away a powerful shot from Grobler. It was an intense back-and-forth affair, and Thwihli Thwahla created their own scare as Macuphu's attempt sailed just wide of the near post.

SuperSport's veteran defender Thabo Matlaba had his moment when he initiated a quick move and unleashed a strike towards the goal, only to be denied by goalkeeper Ricardo Goss's sharp save.

However, the momentum shifted in the second half. Goss found himself in a precarious position as he failed to secure a first-time shot from Zukile Mkhize, allowing Mkhize to volley in the rebound and make it 1-1.

SuperSport responded swiftly with a double substitution, bringing on Lyle Lakay and young talent Keenan Bezuidenhout for Etiosa Ighodaro and Rasebotja, as they aimed to regain control.

The turning point came when goalkeeper Nyame miscalculated the trajectory of a high ball following a corner-kick, leaving Grobler in a prime position to capitalize from close range. Grobler displayed his predatory instincts, securing his second goal of the match in the 76th minute.

As the clock wound down, Grobler completed his hat-trick in stunning fashion in the 84th minute, getting on the end of Dzvukamanja's low cross to redirect the ball into the net off the far post to make it 3-1.

SuperSport managed the final stages of the match effectively, ensuring they would walk away with all three points. This crucial victory elevated them to third place on the league table, while Royal AM continued to languish in the bottom three.