Maritzburg end drama-filled day of DStv Premiership action on a high

by Bertin Basson

Thursday Sep 23, 2021. 09:00

Maritzburg United ended a drama-filled day of 2021/22 DStv Premiership action with a dramatic 1-0 win over Marumo Gallants at Harry Gwala Stadium.

There were only two games on Wednesday, both of which took place in the KwaZulu-Natal province.

The first between Golden Arrows and AmaZulu at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont ended in a 2-2 draw.

Usuthu opened the scoring through Xola Mlambo before conceding two penalties in the space of 10 first half minutes. Knox Mutizwa converted the first, but missed the second.

Abafana Bes’thende hit the front through club captain Matome Mathiane deep into the second half before conceding a penalty of their own soon after taking the lead. Bonginkosi Ntuli made no mistake from the spot to earn Usuthu a point in what was a thrilling, high octane encounter.

The match between Maritzburg and Marumo couldn’t be any more different with chances few and far between.

Marumo should’ve opened their goalscoring account for the campaign in the 78th minute but Sede Dion failed to hit the target with only the Maritzburg goalkeeper to beat, and was duly made to rue that miss.

Team of Choice forward Amadou Soukouna received the ball on the edge of the area in the second minute of stoppage-time and without a moment’s hesitation turned and shot a fierce effort into the corner of the net to snatch all three points for the hosts at the death.

Victory moved Maritzburg up to seventh, a point ahead of Arrows while AmaZulu ended the day in 14th spot. Gallants will go into the weekend in last place.