Maritzburg up to third despite goalless draw

by Graeme Jackson

Saturday Mar 03, 2018. 20:11

Maritzburg United have moved up to third place on the Absa Premiership log despite playing to a goalless draw away to SuperSport United on Saturday evening.

The result at the Lucas Moripe Stadium saw the Team of Choice leapfrog Kaizer Chiefs, though they needed a man-of-the-match performance from gloves-man Richard Ofori to hold off a much-improved Matsatsantsa.

SuperSport made all the early running and created several chances in the opening 20 minutes, with the likes of Aubrey Modiba, Evans Rusike, Teboho Mokoena and Reneilwe Letsholonyane guilty of spurning good scoring opportunities.

Matsatsantsa continued to push hard in attack, but they found Maritzburg goalkeeper Richard Ofori a tough man to get the better of, with both Letsholonyane and Rusike denied by sharp saves in the latter part of the first half.

Ironically it was the Team of Choice who came closest to a goal in the first half, with Mohau Mokate’s glancing header from a corner kick hitting crossbar via the hands of SuperSport goalkeeper Ronwen Williams in the 45th minute.

SuperSport created the first clear chance of the second stanza in the 53rd minute when Letsholonyane picked out Aubrey Modiba in the penalty area, but the midfielder’s effort was straight at Ofori.

The Ghanaian ‘keeper was on hand again in the 73rd minute to deny Mokoena from point-blank range - the SuperSport midfielder had a frustrating day in front of goal, repeatedly getting himself into good scoring positions, only to fluff the finish.

That chance proved to be the last notable goal-mouth action for either team, as they settled for a point apiece.

SuperSport United 0
Maritzburg United 0

SuperSport: Williams, Kekana, Gould, Daniels, Bhasera, Furman, Letsholonyane, Phala, Mokoena, Modiba, Rusike (Nkhatha 81’)

Maritzburg: Ofori, Sanoka, Fransman, Xulu, Ndlovu (Onyango 90+2’), Makaringe, Shandu, Mokate (Kunene 74’), Maboe, Mekoa, Fileccia (Van Wyk 90+1’)