Absa Premiership
Result: Bidvest Wits 1-0 Maritzburg United
Date: 07 May 2017
Venue: Bidvest Stadium
Bidvest Wits maintained their three-point lead over Mamelodi Sundowns after recording a slim 1-0 win over Maritzburg United at the Bidvest Stadium.
Wits carved out the first meaningful chance in the 14th minute when Mogakolodi Ngele's free-kick found Thulani Hlatshwayo, who headed wide at the near post.
The visitors could have gone ahead two minutes later, but Kurt Lentjies failed to connect with the ball after being played through on goal.
Gavin Hunt's charges enjoyed most of the possession in the first half but were finding it tough carve out clear-cut chances.
Maritzburg nearly took a surprising lead in the 38th minute when Siphesihle Ndlovu looked to catch Moeneeb Josephs off his line with an audacious chip, but his effort sailed wide of the mark.
Nonetheless, the score remained goalless as the sides entered the halftime break.
After a frustrating opening to the second half, Wits eventually broke the deadlock in the 56th minute as Phakamani Mahlambi's free-kick found Ntshangase, who headed home from close range.
Maritzburg had a glorious chance to level matters in the 72nd minute but Lentjies somehow headed over the crossbar from six-yards out.
Fadlu Davids threw on Bandile Shandu for Pogiso Sanoka in the 76th minute, while Elias Pelembe replaced Ngele for Wits two minutes later.
The Wits defence managed to hold out till the final whistle to claim the win, as they maintain top spot for another week.
Here's how they lined up:
Wits: 16. Josephs, 3. Hlatshwayo, 4. Khumalo, 10. Ngele (Pelembe 78'), 13. Hlanti, 17. Mhango, 23. Myeni, 26. Malajila, 30. Motshwari, 33. Frosler, 41. Ntshangase.
Maritzburg: 30. Vries, 16. Fransman, 5. Weidlich, Mngonyama, 13. Makaringe, 9. Fileccia, 37. Ndlovu, 32. Sanoka (Shandu 76'), 15. Maboe, 29. Lentjies, 38. Dlamini.
