Maritzburg United remain without a victory in the DStv Premiership after playing to a goalless draw against Swallows on Friday evening.
DStv Premiership
Result: Maritzburg United 0-0 Swallows FC
Date: 12 August 2022
Venue: Harry Gwala Stadium
Maritzburg rang the changes from their big loss against Kaizer Chiefs, as Karim Kimvuidi, Thabo Moloisane, Sibusiso Conco and Brian Hlongwa all got their first starts while Swallows were bolstered by the return of Wandisile Letlabika alongside first starts for Kaizer Chiefs loanee Darrel Matsheke and Siboniso Mtshali.
The Team of Choice were enterprising in the early exchanges, with Bongani Sam gifted a chance to setup the opener on 14 minutes after he broke free on the left side of the box but his cut-back was cleared by the Birds defence.
John Maduka's charges remained on the front foot thereafter and Leletu Skelem almost got the breakthrough on the half-hour mark with cracking shot in the box that was parried away uncomfortably by goalkeeper Thakasani Mbanjwa.
Swallows, meanwhile, had a better resistance in the latter phase of the first stanza but could not combine going forward as they barely tested shot-stopper King Ndlovu.
However, the visitors had their first shot on target on the stroke of halftime after Siboniso Mtshali's glancing header forced Ndlovu into a good stop, as the sides went into the break all square.
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Maritzburg threatened in the early stages of the second stanza as Hlongwa guided a header in the box just over the crossbar after a cross by Kimvuidi.
Swallows invited pressure by defending deep and Skelem had a big chance to break the deadlock for the home side 22 minutes before time after a rebound fell kindly for him in the box but he ballooned his effort over the crossbar with the goal at his mercy.
Stand-in Swallows coach Musa Nyatama made a double change in the last quarter of an hour, as Chiefs loanee Lebohang Lesako got his debut in place of Lindokuhle Mtshali in midfield and Kagiso Malinga replaced Siboniso Mtshali in attack.
Swallows gained impetus going forward in the closing stages, as the game opened up from end to end but neither side were clinical in front of goal as the spoils were shared in the end. As a result, Maritzburg are winless after three games while Swallows pick up their first point on the road.
Here's how they lined up:
Maritzburg United: Ndlovu, Makume, Hlongwa, Mashikinya, Sam, Theron, Moloisane, Skelem, Kimvuidi, Conco, Palace.
Subs: Leaner, Monomodi, Masia, Samu, Macheke, Human, Van Der Ross, Baloyi, Njoti
Swallows: Mbanjwa, Lukhubeni, Sasman, Sait, Khupe, Letlabika, Matsheke, L.Mtshali, Patjie, Isaacs, S.Mtshali.
Subs: Ngobeni, Mvelase, Malinga, Allan, Lesakom Amoojee, Damons, Khumalo, Mthethwa
