Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter was happy his side could claim maximum points at a ground which has been a problem for his side in recent seasons.
Chiefs last won against Maritzburg United at the Harry Gwala Stadium in 2017, but a diving header from Bernard Parker in the second half ended that miserable run on Sunday evening.
“I thought we opened well. Our first 20 minutes was better football. But then we allowed spaces to develop,” Baxter told SuperSport TV.
“We didn’t squeeze the line and Maritzburg showed that if you allow them spaces they will play in between. The rest of the half was a bit of give and take. We changed a couple of things at half-time.
“I thought the boys were very brave in the second half. They pressed very high. They pressed well. I thought we took the drama out of the game in second half. Really pleased we’re starting to score goals from set plays and I think the win was thoroughly deserved.
“The first 20 minutes of the first half we played better. The second 20 minutes was very passive, very stretched out. So if you compare it to the second half we were more compact, more aggressive, more active. We looked like we were going to score. A big difference.
“The boys worked very very hard. It’s difficult coming off a break. You’ve got people coming back. Are they up to speed? Are they mentally down off their national games which are always a high? Are they down and their feet on the ground? And I thought they were. It’s a very difficult place for Chiefs to come. You ask any Kaizer Chiefs coach. And I’m happy we came away with the three points.”