
Maritzburg United 1-0 Royal AM
Maritzburg United eased their relegation fears with a 1-0 victory over Royal AM in the DStv Premiership on Wednesday evening.
Rowan Human and Amadou Soukouna were omitted from the Maritzburg starting lineup, while top goalscorer was surprisingly left out of the Royal AM starting lineup and replaced by Mfundo Thikazi.
Maritzburg leap out of the relegation zone and into 12th position with a much-needed three points, while Royal are still in second with 46 points but have Cape Town City breathing down their necks with the same number of points.
The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute when Friday Samu headed Keagan Ritchie’s corner home. Thwihli Thwahla almost equalised on the stroke of half-time when Mfundo Thikazi was clear on goal but he was denied by Maritzburg goalkeeper Marcel Engelhardt at the near post.
Letsoalo was introduced at half-time and almost made the desired impact with a header at the back post that was well kept out by Engelhardt.
Ernst Middendorp’s men almost doubled their lead when Samu was left unmarked in the box but his header came back off the crossbar. However, that would not come back to haunt Maritzburg as they held on for the win to move four points clear of the relegation zone.
Chippa United 0-0 Cape Town City FC
Chippa United claimed a crucial point in their battle for survival after playing to a 0-0 draw with Cape Town City FC in the DStv Premiership on Tuesday.
Kurt Lentjies’ men move into 13th position on the standings to take them four points clear of the relegation zone, while City missed the opportunity to move into second position but are now level on points with Royal AM above them.
It was the Chilli Boys who were threatening in the first half with Matrose and Bienvenu Eva Nga being denied by some heroics from City keeper Hugo Marques.
But it was all City in the second 45 as Craig Martin’s shot grazed the crossbar. Eric Tinkler’s side then had a glorious opportunity when Martin won a penalty but Mduduzi Mdantsane failed to convert from the spot.
City were pushing hard and throwing the kitchen sink at Chippa but failed to find the breakthrough as their hopes of CAF Champions League football were dealt a blow.
Baroka FC 1-0 Golden Arrows
Baroka FC gave their survival hopes a shot in the arm with a potentially vital 1-0 victory over Golden Arrows in Vincent Kobola’s first game in charge.
Kobola was instated as head coach until the end of the season with Kgoloko Thobejane being demoted to the Diski side last week.
However, it might all be a little too late for Bakgaga, who despite the three points, are still five points adrift of safety.
It was Arrows who had the better of the opportunities throughout the encounter but Baroka were given a lifeline when Sibusiso Conco fouled in the area for Bonginkosi Makhume to convert from the penalty spot, which would prove to be the deciding factor in the end.
Meanwhile, Abafana Bes’thende could not build on their 1-0 win over Kaizer Chiefs last time out as Vusumuzi Vilakazi suffered his first defeat in charge after taking over from the sacked Lehlohonolo Seema.
Vilakazi’s side missed the opportunity to move into eighth position on the standings as they still sit one point behind SuperSport United directly above them.
By Admin