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Cape Town - Although Golden Arrows were favourites to win the clash, they failed to match Maritzburg United as they lost their Absa Premiership tie 2-0 at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Friday night.
Clinton Larsen's men failed to stop United as Kurt Lentjies and Mohamed Anas scored for the hosts to bag their third win in the league this season.
However, Abafana Bes'thende remain placed at number eight with 28 points from 21 matches in the league, one point behind Orlando Pirates who will face Jomo Cosmos on Saturday night.
On the other hand, the Team of Choice is still rooted at the bottom of the log but have 15 points, one behind University of Pretoria from 21 matches.
Just after 10 minutes of action, Abafana Bes'thende played good football and created their chance going forward but goalkeeper, Glenn Verbauwhede, came out to collect Kudakwashe Mahachi's cross.
However, two minutes later the Team of Choice responded when Philani Zulu tried a long range shot but goalkeeper Maxmillian Mbaeva was alert to collect the ball.
After 25 minutes of action, Rodney Ramagalela showed a piece of skill and nearly beat Verbauwhede on his near post when he first tricked two United defenders before driving a powerful shot.
United continued to keep Arrows under pressure but they were once again denied by the Namibian keeper who collected a well driven shot by Rusike in the 30th minute.
The second stanza saw the hosts continuing to probe for an opening goal but skipper, Lentjies couldn't control his shot and it went off target in the 49th minute.
A minute later saw a chance for Arrows, but Verbauwhede fisted Mahachi's shot at goal over the posts for a corner.
However, in the 57th minute, United grabbed the lead through Lentjies when a shot by Deolin Mekoa was parried by Mbaeva back into play and the skipper was unmarked in the box to easily finish.
Ernst Middendorp's men were revived by the goal as they retained the ball well and Lentjies nearly made it two when his low shot went so close on Mbaeva's left post.
In the 72nd minute, Anas received a great ball from the left on a counter attack and he beat the oncoming Mbaeva with a low shot making it 2-0.
With three minutes to go, the home team failed to make the right decisions in the final third and wasted a chance to make it three.
