Maritzburg United produced a stunning performance and ended TS Galaxy’s eight game unbeaten run following a 2-0 away win on Saturday in the DSTV Premiership.
The team of choice has struggled all season with only four wins to their name. It’s perhaps no surprise they find themselves in the relegation zone. However, a return to winning ways and a crucial three points will help their quest as they hope to avoid the drop.
For their latest outing, both teams didn’t make a change to the starting XI that played last time out, with TS Galaxy playing Mxolisi Macuphu as a lone striker.
Maritzburg striker Thabiso Kutumela was drafted to play behind target-man Bongokuhle Hlongwane.
Not long into the game, the visitors came close to breaking the deadlock through Jose Ali Meza. However, his effort was saved by TS Galaxy goalkeeper Marlon Heugh.
TS Galaxy were left chasing the ball against a largely dominant Maritzburg who saw most of the possession but only lacked precision in the final third.
Seven minutes before the break, Heugh made another fantastic save to deny Kutumela the chance of putting Maritzburg in front before the break.
Maritzburg returned to the second half with the same dexterity as they kept on pushing for the opener.
They got a chance to open the scoring when Meza was fouled inside the box but the referee looked the other way and didn’t point to the spot.
Hlongwane finally found the net in the 74th minute with a powerful curling shot into the far corner. It was a deserved lead for Maritzburg who were by far the better side on the evening.
Kutumela scored the second goal and put the game beyond doubt for the visitors with ten minutes to go. The forward pounced on a defensive error to put the ball past Heugh.
TSG saw their best chance come through Khayelihle Shozi who came close to pulling one back. However, his effort was saved by goalkeeper Marcel Engelhardt.
The home team could not score any goal as they watched their eight-game unbeaten run crumble and also dropped to eighth on the log.
On the path of Maritzburg, this win could be rather crucial in their bid to avoid relegation. The win comes at a good time, with the international break just around the corner. Their next league game will come against fellow relegation-threatened side Chippa United on the 4th of April.