Absa Premiership
Result: Maritzburg United 1-2 Free State Stars
Date: 09 January 2019
Venue: Harry Gwala Stadium
Maritzburg United's struggles in the Absa Premiership continued after they suffered defeat to Free State Stars on Wednesday evening.
Muhsin Ertugal was looking for his first win as Maritzburtg coach after they suffered defeat to Golden Arrows over the past weekend, while the need for goals at Maritzburg was vital in the fight for survival. Stars were in a similar boat, with new head coach Nikola Kavazovic beginning his reign with a 2-1 defeat to league leaders Bidvest Wits on Saturday. Stars, who had failed to win their last - games, went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock on 32 minutes as Yusuf Jappie saw his effort cleared off the line by Brian Onyango. Maritzburg's search for a goal was finally reward in the sixth minute of time added on, with Deolin Mekoa finding the back of the net with a well-placed into the bottom corner from edge of the box. The opening stages of the second half proved to be a tight affair as neither side gave anything away in the opening 20 minutes. Ea Lla Koto did manage to restore parity on 72 minutes, with Relebogile Mokhuoane back-heeling the ball beyond goalkeeper Richard Ofori from close range. The visitors completed the turnaround with nine minutes remaining as Sinethemba Jantjie rifled home a half-volley from the edge of the box to silence home the fans.View The PSL Results Here's how they lined up:
Maritzburg: 31. Ofori, 2. Onyango, 26. Kunene, 25. Xulu, 5. Farmer, 6. Sanoka, 29. Mekoa, 10. Atouba, 15. Matsi, 7. Makgalwa, 9. Fileccia. Subs: 1. Mpandle, 8. Ndlovu, 14. Matima, 16. Shandu, 18. Eksteen, 17. Figareido, 37. Masegela. Stars: 23. Sangare, 4. Makhaula, 28. Mahamutsa, 2. Mobbie, 21. Phungwayo, 5. Masehe, 15. Mokhuoane, 20. Mbhele, 26. Dlamini, 19. Jappie, 27. Tchilimbou, Subs: 30. Mbambo, 33. Khabane, 25. Maruping, 24. Mbuli, 11. Jantjie, 7. Hlubi, 9. Rodgers.
