Highlands Park add to Maritzburg United's woes

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Saturday Apr 13, 2019. 17:07

Highlands Park beat Maritzburg United 1-0 in an Absa Premiership match at the Makhulong Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

As a result, the Lions of the North climbed up to eighth place on the league table, while the Team of Choice remained 16th on the standings.

The Team of Choice pushed for an early goal and they had a chance to break the deadlock from Allan Kateregga's corner-kick.

Pogiso Sanoka connected with the ball, but the Lions of the North defence was alert and they cleared the ball away.

Highlands grew in confidence as the match progressed and they should have opened the scoring on the half-hour mark.

Sello Motsepe, who is a defender by trade, missed the target from six yards and Maritzburg survived a scare.

The last chance of the first-half fell for Maritzburg defender Sanoka five minutes before the half-time break.

However, the 26-year-old player's effort was brilliantly saved by Highlands goalkeeper Marlon Heugh.

The two teams were locked at 0-0 during the half-time break.

The Lions of the North introduced their star midfielder Mothobi Mvala prior to the start of the second-half as they looked to break the deadlock.

Namibia international Peter Shalulile was looking lively for the hosts and he nearly scored in the 69th minute when his effort narrowly missed the target.

The hosts kept pushing and they managed to score through Shalulile, who beat Maritzburg keeper Richard Ofori with 13 minutes left on the clock.

Maritzburg attacked in numbers in the closing stages as they searched for a late equalizing goal.

However, Highlands stood firm at back in the dying minutes of the game and in the end, they emerged 1-0 winners over Maritzburg.

Highlands (0) 1 (Shalulile 77')
Maritzburg (0) 0

Highlands: Heugh, Fransman, Williams (Mvala 46'), Mokoena, Motsepe, Rae, Shongwe (Haoseb 78'), Mahlangu, Nyembe, Motlafi (Mogaila 58'), Shalulile.

Maritzburg: Ofori, Kunene (Mekoa 76'), Xulu, Allie, Sanoka, De Reuck, Makaringe, Timm, Kateregga, Moseamedi (Mokate 71') , Zakri (Figuareido 62').