Publications
Partners
Pietermaritzburg - Maritzburg United made use of their chances in the second half to secure a 2-0 win over Chippa United in their Absa Premiership encounter at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Two quick goals from Terrence Mandaza and Cuthbert Malajila were enough to secure maximum points for the home side after the first half had failed to produce goals.
Both sides had chances to break the deadlock in the opening stages but Welcome Qalanto sent his low shot wide in the third minute, while Delron Buckley rattled the upright at the other end two minutes later.
Qalanto continued to make his presence felt and in the 22nd minute he managed to get a powerful header on target, but Shu-aib Walters pulled off a great save to palm the ball over the crossbar.
The second part of the first half failed to produce clear openings with Cuthbert Malajila firing wide in the 29th minute, while Heinrich Isaacks blasted his effort over the target in the 42nd minute.
Brent Carelse almost benefitted from individual brilliance five minutes into the second following his brilliant run on the right, but Walters made the block at the near post to keep his effort out.
Two minutes later Sheppard forced Tashrique Goldman into making a brilliant save with a curling free-kick which almost squeezed into the top left corner, while Qalanto saw his lobbed effort going just over the bar at the other end in the 68th minute.
The visitors then lost captain Mbulelo Mabizela to injury with just over 20 minutes left on the clock and the Team of Choice took full advantage as gaps appeared in the Chippa defence.
The opening goal arrived in the 76th minute with Mandaza finishing from close range following a great run from Rheece Evans on the right.
A minute later Mandaza turned from scorer to creator as he played a well-weighted pass for Malajila to finish from inside the box.
Qalanto should have pulled one goal back for Chippa in the 84th minute but his bad day in front of goal continued as he fired wide from eight yards out.
