Maritzburg United edged out SuperSport United 2-1 in the DStv Premiership match which took place at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Tuesday night.
The win ended the Team of Choice’s 10-match winless run in the league and they climbed up to 12th spot on the standings, while Matsatsantsa remained seventh on the log.
Unsurprisingly the Team of Choice started brightly as they looked to avenge their defeat to Matsatsantsa in the Nedbank Cup clash last week and they nearly took an early lead through Friday Samu.
The Zambia international’s header was fantastically saved by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams after the SuperSport defence which was marshalled by Thatayaone Ditlhokwe was exposed.
Williams, who was the busier of the two keepers, then punched away Keagan Ritchie’s dangerous curling effort from a corner-kick as Maritzburg pushed for the opening goal of the game.
Maritzburg were deservedly leading 1-0 at halftime after Samu turned brilliantly in the visitors’ box and fired past Williams in first-half stoppage time with Nicholus Lukhubeni providing the assist.
Matsatsantsa pressed the Team of Choice after the restart and they managed to level matters when Jesse Donn headed home Kudakwashe Mahachi’s free-kick to make it 1-1 in the 55th minute.
SuperSport looked dangerous from aerial balls which saw Ghampani Lungu force keeper Marcel Engelhardt into a comfortable save with a header as Matsatsantsa looked to double their lead.
However, the hosts restored their lead in the 71st minute when Man of the Match Samu turned provider as he played a cut-back pass for Rowan Human, who beat Williams to make it 2-1 to Maritzburg.
Coach Kaitano Tembo introduced Thapelo Maseko and Sifiso Ngobeni as the visitors looked to snatch a late equalising goal, but Maritzburg held on to their slender lead and they secured a 2-1 win.
Maritzburg (1) 2 (Samu 45’+3, Human 71′)
SuperSport (0) 1 (Donn 55′)
Maritzburg: Engelhardt, Ndengane, Ritchie, Pereira, Daniels, Lukhubeni, Claasen (Ismail 90’+4), Graham (Rae 79′), Human (Palace 78′), Samu (Soukouna 90’+4), Macheke (Skelem 79′).
SuperSport: Williams, Phillips, Fleurs, Ditlhokwe, Bhasera (Ngobeni 77′), Webber, Rasebotja (Mahachi 46′), Donn, Lungu, Waiswa (Maseko 77′), Rayners.
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