DStv Premiership
Result: Maritzurg United 2-1 Bloemfontein Celtic
Date: 02 January 2021
Venue: Harry Gwala Stadium
Maritzburg United broke a 14-match winless run in the league with a narrow 2-1 victory over Bloemfontein Celtic at Harry Gwala Stadium on Saturday evening.
Clayton Daniels was handed his debut for the hosts, forming an experienced centre-back pairing with Nazeer Allie, while Bafana Bafana forward Thabiso Kutumela returned after missing two matches with injury to score what would prove to be a match-winning brace.
Maritzburg had an early sight at goal. Judas Moseamedi was the creator as he cut a ball back into the area from the right flank. Kutumela dummied it for Tebogo Tlolane who hit a left footed effort just over the bar.
The Team of Choice had another opportunity when Thabiso Kutumela intercepted the ball in the attacking half and played in Tlolane in but his left footed strike was well held by the keeper down low.
Ernst Middendorp's side deservedly broke the deadlock with 25 minutes gone when Kutumela tucked home from a tight angle after rounding the keeper after being played in by a defence splitting pass from Keagan Buchanan.
The lead was doubled in the 39th minute via Kutumela from the penalty spot after talismanic midfielder Daylon Claasen was brought down in the box.
Middendorp brought on Jose Ali Meza for Moseamedi and the Venezuelan almost made an instant impact, when he cut inside from the right and struck a left foot effort from just outside the box only to see his strike just clear the cross bar.
Celtic cut the deficit in half with ten minutes to go. The free-kick was swung into the box and after a bit of ping-pong Victor Letsoalo volleyed home on the turn for his second goal of the season.
Although John Maduka's showed no lack of endeavour in their search of an equaliser, it was not to be for Phunya Sele Sele as the Team of Choice claimed their first win of the season.
Here's how they started:
Maritzburg: 27. Barr, 4. Allie, Daniels, 19. Hachi, 10. Kutumela, 8. Buchanan, 11. Tlolane, 6. Graham, 17. Claasen, 25. Ismail, 9. Moseamedi.
Subs: 31. Mpandle, 28. Hlubi, 3. Sanoka, 45. Mngonyama, 12. Modise, 21. Hlongwane, 7. Meza, 26. Shandu, 5. Morgan.
Celtic: 31. Chaine, 3. Mahashe, 26. Ngobeni, 34. Fikizolo, 24. Lingwati, 20. De Jongh, 27. Tchilimbou, 13. Luthuli, 21. Letsoalo, 7. Mangweni, 11. Potsane.
Subs: 32. Mpoto, 5. Kobedi, 9. Sera, 25. Ndwandwe.
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