Stellenbosch FC came back to hold Maritzburg United to a 2-2 draw in the DStv Premiership match at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Friday night.
The draw saw Stellies climb up to the eighth spot on the league standings, while the Team of Choice remained 16th on the table.
The two teams attacked each other from the first whistle and it was the Team of Choice, who took an early lead through Judas Moseamedi.
The 26-year-old striker fired home from outside the box to make it 1-0 to Maritzburg after being set-up by Daylon Claasen three minutes into the game.
However, Stellies pressed the home side and they managed to level matters following a brilliant team move by coach Ernst Middendorp’s side.
Marc Van Heerden finished off a move which he had started when he headed home David Van Rooyen’s cross to make it 1-1 in the 10th minute.
It was end-to-end stuff as the Team of Choice restored their lead following a mistake by Stellenbosch goalkeeper Sage Stephens.
Moseamedi intercepted a poor pass from Stephens, before scoring with a low shot to make it 2-1 to Maritzburg in the 15th minute.
The visitors tried to respond with a goal at the other end, but keeper Sebastian Mwange produced a fantastic save to deny Ashley Du Preez.
The last chance of the first-half fell for Moseamedi, but the former South Africa under-23 international was denied by Stephens and the score was 2-1 to Maritzburg at halftime.
Granwald Scott was introduced by Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker prior to the start of the second-half as the visitors looked to restore parity.
The away side did level matters when Du Preez’s delightful cross was tapped home by Stanley Dimgba to make it 2-2 in the 59th minute.
Maritzburg coach Ernst Middendorp then made a triple substitution as he introduced Malebogo Modise, Pogiso Sanoka and Bongokuhle Hlongwane.
The Team of Choice came close to restoring their lead when Keagan Buchanan’s well-taken free-kick hit the upright with Mwange beaten in the closing stages of the game.
Hlongwane had a chance to snatch a late winning goal for Maritzburg, but the striker was denied by Stephens to ensure that the match ended in a 2-2 draw.
Maritzburg (2) 2 (Moseamedi 3′, 15′)
Stellenbosch (1) 2 (Van Heerden 10, Dimgba 82′)
Maritzburg : Mwange, Allie, Morgan, Hachi, De Reuck, Buchanan, Mngonyama (Sanoka 64′), Claasen (Hlongwane 64′), Hlubi (Modise 64′), Moseamedi, Graham.
Stellenbosch : Stephens, Johannes, Van Rooyen, Robertson, Macheke, Van Heerden (Skelem 59′), Nange (Scott 46′), Sinkala, Adams (Msengi 73′), Du Preez, Dimgba (Moon 82′).© Backpage TXT.
SOURCED FROM THE PSL WEBSITE.
