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Cape Town - Maritzburg
United coach Fadlu Davids was full of praise for his side despite
losing 2-1 to Orlando Pirates in Saturday's Premiership clash at the
Orlando Stadium.
The Sea Robbers were able to bounce back from a 3-0 defeat to Ajax Cape Town last Wednesday to move to second in the standings behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Goals in either half from Thabiso Kutumela and Happy Jele steered the home side to the three points despite a late onslaught from Maritzburg in which Siyanda Xulu pulled a goal back with a towering header.
Nonetheless, the Team of Choice swarmed forward in the closing stages of the encounter and were perhaps unlucky not to secure an equaliser. Davids told SuperSport after the game: "Today, my boys passed the test. I’m extremely proud of them. They showed today that they can come here and play.
"Both goals came from set-pieces which came against the run of play. But it was an unbelievable performance from us. Pirates played with a five man defensive line and brought on another defender and another defender.
"It’s absolutely fantastic what they have achieved tonight for this club Maritzburg United. I don’t take this result. I’ll go in the change room and tell them that.
"We are on the right track. For us, it’s about the process, and we will get better. Next season, we’ll be a better team. They will get more experience, but if you can come to Orlando Stadium and do what they did tonight. I’m extremely proud of them."
The result sees Pirates move into second place in the standings while United drop to sixth with a 10-point deficit behind league leaders Sundowns.
