Johannesburg - Moroka Swallows coach Zeca Marques hailed the efforts of striker Lerato Chabangu in handing his side a 1-0 victory over University of Pretoria in their Premiership match at Dobsonville stadium on Saturday.
"Work ethic is everything especially at this level and it's great to see the guys working their socks off," Marques said.
"Lerato is a great player but he works hard and overall I'm delighted with our performance."
Chabangu produced an audacious volley in the 90th minute to help secure the victory.
The game could have gone either way, with chances falling to both teams. The coach conceded luck was also on his side.
"I thought it was an interesting match for both sides," he said.
"Both goalkeepers kept their team in the game and 10 minutes before Greg Etafia had a great save on the line, and two minutes before that their goalkeeper pulled off a great save."
While the match offered little in sheer entertainment value for the spectators, it was the perfect start for Swallows with the three points in the bag.
"Overall, tactically, I thought we were solid, and defensively," Marques said.
"That's what we were working on in the off-season.
"I told the guys if we defend well and don't concede goals, we're a team that can score, so we'll always get something."
Marques conceded rustiness played a big part in the performances of both sides but he said it was to be expected.
"For the first match of the season, guys are nervous," he said.
"Expectations are high, everybody wants to see what the team is capable of doing."