First win of the new season for Maritzburg Utd
An early goal for Maritzburg United secured all three points in their encounter against Baroka FC at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Limpopo on Saturday afternoon.
Ghanian player Richard Zumah made good use of a poor decision by keeper Oscarine Masuluke to net in the 12th minute.
Deicde Chauke missed a crucial chance to equalise for Baroka in the first half.
The KZN-based team held onto their lead at half time.
Baroka came back with a stronger in the second half, reminding the visitors of their star power but even with 10-men, the Team of Choice held their own.
Bongokuhle Hlongwane was sent off with a red card on 50 minutes for second yellow card.
Baroka also came close to scoring in the 70th minute but the Maritzburg players put their bodies on the line to keep a promising shot out the goal.
The Limpopo side applied more pressure with a little over 10 minutes to go when Maritzburg keeper Marcel Engelhardt missed the ball before it deflected off the far post.
Going in for another shot at goal, Thamsanqa Masiya came in with a high boot, hitting Engelhardt in the face with his boot.
This saw him sent of for a second yellow card and levelling the playing field with both sides down to 10 men.
The game ended 1-0 to Maritzburg.
Evidence Makgopa, who scored the lone goal for Bafana Bafana in the World Cup qualifier against Ghana last week, was visibly absent from the match.
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