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Cape Town - Maritzburg United claimed a hard-fought 1-0 win over Bloemfontein Celtic at the Dr Molemela Stadium on Sunday.
Bandile Shandu was the hero for Maritzburg as they recorded their first win of the season with a narrow victory, to hand Celtic their first loss of the 2018/19 Absa Premiership season.
It was a perfect start for Maritzburg with Shandu opening the scoring with just two minutes on the clock as he was played in by Fortune Makaringe.
Celtic looked to respond, but it was the Team of Choice with the next chance, that Mxolisi Kunene fired just wide.
Andrea Fileccia was also wide for a determined Maritzburg ahead of a wayward shot from Krahire Zakri and a similar effort from Keletso Makgalwa.
Tshegofatso Mabaso then smashed a volley onto the crossbar as Celtic improved as the match wore on with some good approach play.
Given Mashikinya though failed to keep his left-footed drive down, as Ndumiso Mabena came closer with a well-struck shot on 55 minutes.
Mashikinya and substitute Victor Letsoalo both looked intent on finding the target, but were kept out by a determined Maritzburg defence, as Lorenzo Gordinho headed his late chance wide of Richard Ofori in the away goal.
Try as they might, Celtic were unable to replicate recent performances, that have seen them win all but one game, as Maritzburg claimed their first three points.
