Maritzburg United registered their first win of the DStv Premiership season after netting a late winner against Chippa United on Saturday night.
Result: Maritzburg United 2-1 Chippa United
Date: 20 August 2022
Venue: Harry Gwala Stadium
Chilli Boys coach Daine Klate gave a first start to Aviwe Mqokozo as the only change from the impressive victory away to Orlando Pirates last weekend.
Maritzburg, meanwhile, recalled Friday Samu in place of Lelethu Skelem after the goalless draw with Cape Town City while Njoti replaced Given Mashikinya in the middle of the park.
Klate's charges nearly fell behind in the opening 15 minutes following a poor clearance by goalkeeper Loydt Kazapua, but the Maritzburg forwards were unable to profit.
Chippa would go on to get the opening goal on 32 minutes when Nigerian striker Etiosa Ighodaro turned home a free-kick from Siphelele Luthuli to get his first goal for the Gqeberha outfit.
The Team of Choice were not to be outdone as they restored parity on the stroke of halftime, with Samu bagging his first goal of the season.
Both sides pushed for the go-ahead goal in the second half, with Maritzburg going close on 69 minutes when Siboniso Conco's cross found Samu in the box, but the strike was unable to steer his header on target.
Klate's charges went close with a chance of their own with eight minutes left on the clock, as Azola Matrose sent a curling effort inches wide of the upright.
The home side had the final say when Amadou Soukouna opened his account for the season in second-half stoppage time to earn Maritzburg their first win of the campaign.
Maritzburg United: Ndlovu, Makume, Hlongwa, Njoti, Sam, Theron, Moloisane, Kimvuidi, Samu, Macheke, Palace.
Subs: Anye Derick, Ritchie, Soukouna, Zuma, Conco, Human, Kewuti, Baloyi, Skelem.
Chippa United: Kazapua, Banda, Pietersen, Poggenbpol, Matrose, Pfumbidzai, Kammies, Chabalala, Luthuli, Ighodaro, Mqokozo
Subs: Chaine, Cerfonteyn, September, Ntsabo, Mduli, Appollis, Mini, Maarman, Mbenyane
