Result: Baroka 2-1 Maritzburg United
Date: 24 October 2020
Venue: Peter Mokaba Stadium
Maritzburg United opened their DStv Premiership campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Baroka FC on Saturday afternoon.
Maritzburg made only change after a narrow loss to Kaizer Chiefs, with Tebogo Tlolane going straight into the line-up after his loan move from Orlando Pirates was extended during the week while Cheslyn Jampies made his debut for Bakgaga.
The hosts had a bright start as Richard Mbulu opened the scoring in the tenth minute with a tap-in from close range to open his scoring account for the season.
United had a wonderful chance to get back into the game just before the half after Daylon Claasen delivered a cross into the box buy Thabiso Kutumela's header was saved by goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze.
Matsemela Thoka's troops were on the front foot in the early stages of the second stanza and Nhlanhla Mgaga doubled their lead just before the hour-mark with a stunning strike from outside the box into the bottom corner.
Second-half substitute Sibusiso Hlubi came close to pulling a goal back for the Team of Choice in the last 20 minutes with a first-time strike that was saved in the top corner by Chipezeze.
Another second-half substitute Jose Ali Meza finally got a goal back for United five minutes before time with a smashing half-volley from the right side of the box that beat Chipezeze at his near post.
Meza had a chance to snatch the equaliser for Maritzburg in the last minute after carving out an angle inside the box but his strike was smothered by Chipezeze as Baroka held on for their first three points of the season.
Baroka: 1. Chipezeze, 6. Sibiya, 5. Makume, 24. Jampies, 3. Gebhardt, 18. Shozi, 17. Kambala, 21. Masiya, 9. Mbulu, 12. Mgaga, 27. Makgopa.
Subs: 32. Molapo, 4. Seema, 10. Phiri, 8. Nkabinde, 34. Makubhu, 22. Mahlonoko, 15. Mogale.
Maritzburg: 30. Mpandle, 6. Sanoka, 2. Allie, 7. Kutumela, 23. De Reuck, 14. Bongo Mbourou, 8. Buchanan, 17. Claasen, Tlolane, 20. Moseamedi, Modise.
Subs: 27. Barr, Ismail, 28. Hlubi, 26. Shandu, 21. Hlongwane, 24. Bhengu, Meza.
