Result: Highlands Park 1-1 Maritzburg United
Date: 29 August 2020
Venue: Dobsonville Stadium
Highlands Park reclaimed eighth spot in the Absa Premiership after netting late to salvage a 1-1 draw against Maritzburg United.
Highlands coach Owen Da Gama recalled Luckyboy Mokoena, Ryan Rae and Mothobi Mvala and handed Thalente Mbatha a rare start. On the other side, the Team of Choice made only two changes, with Pogiso Sanoka returning alongside a surprise start for Gabonese midfielder Nathanael Mbourou.
Eric Tinkler's charges got off to a quick start as Sanoka gave opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a looping strike from the centre of the box from Bandile Shandu's cross.
The Lions of the North were threatening to get back into the game from aerial balls and Mvala had a chance just before before the break with a header from the centre of the box that missed wide from Lindokuhle Mbatha's cross.
Sifiso Mbhele also had a chance to equalise for Highlands in first-half stoppages with a header in the centre of the box that was saved by goalkeeper Richard Ofori in the top centre of the crossbar.
Da Gama's troops came close to levelling matters again ten minutes after the break after Peter Shalulile unleashed a left-footed strike from the centre of the box Ofori made the save.
United also had chances, as Daniel Morgan almost doubled their lead in the 66th minute with a free-kick from outsdie the box that missed the top corner by inches.
The Lions of the North made a change in the last 12 minutes looking for fresh legs upfront, as Rodney Ramagalela came on for Mvala.
Ramagalela made an immediate impact, as he found the equaliser for the Lions of the North in the last four minutes with a right-footed strike to secure a point for Da Gama' side.
Highlands: 16. Kapini, 2. Mvaza, 19. Munyai, 5. Fransman, 21. Mbhele, 24. Rae, 10. Mokoena, 14. Mvala, 25. T. Mbatha, 43. L. Mbatha, 38. Shalulile.
Subs: 1. Heugh, 34. Motsepe, Msana, 23. Msimango, 27. Jooste, 14. Nyatama, Motlafi, 12. Mogaila, 13. Ramagalela.
Subs: 30. Mpandle, 45. Mngonyama, 8. Buchanan, 6. Timm, 21. Hlongwane, 9. Augusto, Bhengu.
