Maritzburg United fought back to defeat Lamontville Golden Arrows 2-1 in an Absa Premiership match at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Friday night.
The victory took the Team of Choice to the fifth spot on the league standings, while Abafana Bes’thende slipped down to the eighth spot.
The first league match of the new year got off to a bright start with both teams launching attacks in the opening stages of the encounter.
It was Arrows, who threatened first when Siyabonga Dube forced Maritzburg goalkeeper Richard Ofori into a save eight minutes before the half-hour mark.
At the other end, Arrows keeper Nkosingiphile Gumede was called into action and he denied Keagan Buchanan in the 24th minute.
The deadlock was finally broken six minutes before the half-time break after the Team of Choice’s defence was exposed.
Danny Venter was the man, who beat Ghana international Ofori to make it 1-0 to Arrows following a quick counter attack by Steve Komphela’s men.
The score was 1-0 to Arrows following a lovely first-half in the KwaZulu-Natal Derby.
The hosts piled some pressure on Abafana Bes’thende after the restart as they searched for the equalizing goal.
Komphela reacted by introducing Sandile Zuke, who is a defensive midfielder just before the hour-mark as the visitors looked to contain Eric Tinkler’s men.
Former South Africa under-23 international Gumede had to produce a fine save from Yusuf Jappie’s dangerous cross in the 76th minute as Maritzburg pushed for a late goal.
Maritzburg deservedly levelled matters when Daylon Claasen scored at the far-post to make it 1-1 much to the delight of the home crowd with three minutes left on the clock.
The momentum was the hosts and they managed to grab a late winning goal in stoppage time when Nkosinathi Sibisi scored an own-goal from Thabiso Kutumela’s through pass.
The late goal sealed Maritzburg’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Arrows in an enthralling encounter.
Maritzburg 2 (Classen 89′, Sibisi 90’+4)
Arrows 1 (Venter 39′)
Maritzburg XI: Ofori, Morgan (Shandy 46′) Jappie, Mngonyama, De Reuck, Allie, Buchanan, Claasen, Lea’alafa(Hlongwane 63′), Timm (Kutumela 73′), Moseamedi.
Arrows XI: Gumede, Lunga, Mathiane, Sibisi, Dube, Makhubela (Ndwandwe 79′) Parusnath (Zuke 58′), Venter (Buthelezi 86′), Phiri, Lamola, Mutizwa.© Backpage TXT
SOURCED FROM THE PSL WEBSITE.
