Absa Premiership
Result: Maritzburg United 3-1 Baroka
Date: 14 April 2017
Venue: Harry Gwala Stadium
Maritzburg United moved three points clear of Orlando Pirates in the Absa Premiership table, after recording a 3-1 win over Baroka FC on Friday evening.
Martizburg broke the deadlock in the 10th minute courtesy of a fine volley from defender Kwanda Mngonyama at the far post.
The Team of Choice doubled their lead in the 24th minute as Mohau Mokate rose well to head home Bevan Fransman's cross after Baroka goalkeeper, Oscarine Masuluke failed to clear.
Mokate should have extended Maritzburg's lead in the 32nd minute, but the striker blazed over the crossbar from close range.
Baroka, meanwhile, were finding it tough in the first half and opted for a tactical change in the 37th minute when Mpho Kgaswane on for Siphelele Zikalala.
However, the score remained 2-0 in favour of Fadlu David's side as they went into the halftime break.
Maritzburg opted for a change at the start of the second as Evans Rusike made way for Themba Shabalala.
The visitors looked livelier in the second half and were eventually awarded a penalty in the 58th minute. Substitute Jose Garcia stepped up and slotted into the bottom corner.
Garcia nearly bagged his second and the equaliser in the 72nd minute, but the midfielder's stinging free-kick sailed inches over the crossbar.
Maritzburg should have put the result beyond doubt in the 80th minute as Siphesihle Ndlovu did well to pick out Mokate, who placed his effort wide of the mark from six-yards out.
The home side eventually added a third goal in the 87th minute, as defender Bevan Fransman rifled home a superb free-kick on the edge of the box.
Maritzburg managed to see out the closing stages with relative ease, as they move up to seventh spot .
Here's how they lined up:
Maritzburg: 30. Vries, 16. Fransman, 5. Weidlich, 45. Mngonyama, Makaringe, 15. Maboe, 26. Shandu, 37. Ndlovu, 19. Rusike, 29. Lentjies, 22. Mokate.
Baroka: Baroka: 30. Masuluke, 18. Mapetho, 3. Masenamela, 12. Matloga, 6. Shaku, 46. Madubanya, 3. Mahashe, 25. Munetsi, 35. Zikalala, 36. Kunene, 49. Matlakala.
