Maritzburg United recorded a massive three points as they defeated Orlando Pirates 1-0 at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Sunday evening.
It took an Amadou Soukouna penalty on 80 minutes to separate the two sides and hand the home team just their second win of the new DStv Premiership season.
Pirates started well with first Fortune Makaringe shooting just over the target following a well-worked corner before Innocent Maela saw his goal-bound effort superbly blocked.
Olisa Ndah was the next player to be denied by some resolute Maritzburg defending in a first half categorised by some good midfield play but too few real goal-mouth chances.
Soukouna saw his rare attempt for the home side comfortably saved by Bucs keeper Richard Ofori while the first half ended with a strong save from Ofori from a well struck Soukouna shot as Maritzburg broke forward.
The Team of Choice started the second half more brightly and Tumelo Njoti came close with a drive that was deflected just wide, before Ndah glanced a header, from a good Thabang Monare cross, just away from goal.
(WATCH) Harry Gwala Stadium buzzing.
— NKULULEKO SBU DLADLA ✍️📻📺🇿🇦 (@NkuleSbuDladla) September 4, 2022
The moment Amadou Soukouna gave @MaritzburgUtd a lead, from the spot after Olisa Ndah made a penalty.#DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/Idr9D1xuAP
Monare should have done better with his own effort on 59 minutes but he blasted over.
Pirates were increasingly more dominant the longer the tie progressed and Zakhele Lepasa wasn’t too far off a winner with 65 minutes on the clock, only to pull his shot, before Paseka Mako skied his effort from another good Monare set-up.
Both sides made a number of substitutions in order to effect the outcome of this game, but it was Maritzburg to come out on top as 71st minute substitute Siboniso Conco won a penalty on 79 minutes that Soukouna duly converted a minute later.
Pirates responded with half chances from Mako and late replacements Kwame Peprah and Collins Makgaka but there was no way through for the DStv Premiership leaders, who slipped to third place on the standings with this loss, as Maritzburg moved up to seventh spot.
