DStv Premiership
Result: Stellenbosch 0-1 Maritzburg United
Date: 27 April 2021
Venue: Danie Craven Stadium
Maritzburg United moved six points clear of the relegation zone after snatching a 1-0 win away to Stellenbosch in the DStv Premiership on Tuesday afternoon.
Stellies made only one change from the draw with Bloemfontein Celtic, as Leletu Skelem was recalled in place of Phathutshedzo Nange while United recalled Nazeer Allie and Bandile Shandu.
Ashley Du Preez had the first real chance for the hosts in the 18th minute with a header from close range that missed narrowly wide after a cross by Jayden Adams.
With the game opening up after that, Daylon Claasen had a chance to break the deadlock for Maritzburg in the 33rd minute after he was teed up by Tebogo Tlolane on the edge of the box but his deflected shot was saved by goalkeeper Sage Stephens.
Du Preez had a big opportunity to give Steve Barker's charges the lead just before the break after going clear on goal from Adams' through ball but his low strike was saved by shot-stopper Marcel Engelhardt, as the first stanza ended goalless.
Ernst Middendorp made a double tactical change at half-time, as Daniel Morgan came on for Tlolane while Fares Hachi replaced Shandu.
Thabiso Kutumela came close to breaking the deadlock for the Team of Choice in the 66th minute with a strike from the edge of the box that was saved in the top corner by Stephens.
Barker made his double substitution with 18 minutes remaining, as he brought on Junior Mendieta in place of Adams for fresh legs in attacking midfield while Ally Msengi came on for Marc Van Heerden.
Stellenbosch had the momentum in the closing minutes but they conceded a penalty in stoppage time for a handball by Mendieta inside the box, which allowed Kutumela to fire into the bottom corner to snatch all the three points for Maritzburg, as they moved six points clear of the relegation zone, just a point and a place behind 12th-placed Stellies.
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Here's how they started:
Stellenbosch: 17. Stephens, 24. Macheke, 4. De Goede, 5. Mthethwa, 8. Van Heerden, 7. Van Rooyen, 27. Jabaar, 19. Sinkala, 9. Du Preez, 23. Adams, 22. Skelem.
Subs: 35. Langeveldt, 37. Mbekile, 20. Robertson, 3. Brenner, 12. Scott, 18. Nange, 10. Mendieta, 14. Msengi, 30. Avontuur.
Maritzburg: 31. Engelhardt, 22. Stevic, 16. Daniels, 4. Allie, 11. Tlolane, 42. Rae, 26. Shandu, 6. Graham, 21. Hlongwane, 17. Claasen, 10. Kutumela,
Subs: 27. Barr, 28. Hlubi, 19. Moseamedi, 5. Morgan, 12. Modise, 25. Ismail, 13. Sifama, 19. Hachi, 15. Ntshangase.
