Cape Town - Maritzburg United continued their Absa Premiership undefeated run away from home when they defeated Chippa United 1-0 at Athlone Stadium to move second on the log.
The pressure was on Maritzburg to bring home the points, following a defeat and a draw in their previous two league games, and they got off to a positive start with some long balls which exposed the Chippa’s high defensive line.
Chippa, though, had the first chance of the game when the Ajax Cape Town-owned player, Cole Alexander, pulled the trigger in the 13th minute with a low diagonal shot but his effort was half hearted as it gently rolled wide at the far post.
Terrance Mandaza shocked Chippa when he stung the side netting of goal, in the 22nd minute, before Kassaly Daouda had to rush off his line to push the ball away from Maritzburg’s last man.
All the pressure was coming from The Team of Choice when Mandaza tried to turn in a swinging header just after the half hour mark.
Their continued pressure in front of goal finally paid off when Maritzburg finally broke the deadlock in the 35th minute.
Philani Zulu latched onto a perfect cross to half volley an effort towards goal, but a wicked deflection off Gift Sithole left Kassaly helpless in preventing it from staying out of goal, 1-0.
Brent Carelse was finally handed his shot at game time when he replaced Robin Rhode two minutes before the half time whistle - the youngster being replaced due to cramps.
Petrus Ngebo made way for Mfundo Shumana at the start of the second half, before Ernst Middendorp opted to make his first change of the game when Orlando Smeekes came on for Mandanza in the 65th minute.
In the 72nd minute Seidou Idrissa was shown yellow for a late challenge on Mohammed Awal from behind, while Malajila sent his header wide of goal just three minutes later.
Chippa’s inability to get a hold of possession saw them grow increasingly frustrated with needless tackles being flung in from all different angles.
Yende was given his marching orders in the final minute of play when he picked up a second yellow card to reduce his side to ten men, but there was to be no change in the scoreline.
The pressure was on Maritzburg to bring home the points, following a defeat and a draw in their previous two league games, and they got off to a positive start with some long balls which exposed the Chippa’s high defensive line.
Chippa, though, had the first chance of the game when the Ajax Cape Town-owned player, Cole Alexander, pulled the trigger in the 13th minute with a low diagonal shot but his effort was half hearted as it gently rolled wide at the far post.
Terrance Mandaza shocked Chippa when he stung the side netting of goal, in the 22nd minute, before Kassaly Daouda had to rush off his line to push the ball away from Maritzburg’s last man.
All the pressure was coming from The Team of Choice when Mandaza tried to turn in a swinging header just after the half hour mark.
Their continued pressure in front of goal finally paid off when Maritzburg finally broke the deadlock in the 35th minute.
Philani Zulu latched onto a perfect cross to half volley an effort towards goal, but a wicked deflection off Gift Sithole left Kassaly helpless in preventing it from staying out of goal, 1-0.
Brent Carelse was finally handed his shot at game time when he replaced Robin Rhode two minutes before the half time whistle - the youngster being replaced due to cramps.
Petrus Ngebo made way for Mfundo Shumana at the start of the second half, before Ernst Middendorp opted to make his first change of the game when Orlando Smeekes came on for Mandanza in the 65th minute.
In the 72nd minute Seidou Idrissa was shown yellow for a late challenge on Mohammed Awal from behind, while Malajila sent his header wide of goal just three minutes later.
Chippa’s inability to get a hold of possession saw them grow increasingly frustrated with needless tackles being flung in from all different angles.
Yende was given his marching orders in the final minute of play when he picked up a second yellow card to reduce his side to ten men, but there was to be no change in the scoreline.