Maritzburg edge Chippa for first Premiership win of the season

Maritzburg United registered their first win of the Absa Premiership season, beating Chippa United 1-0 at Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Friday evening thanks to a first0half goal from Thabiso Kutumela.

Victory moves the Team of Choice up to 12th place on the log standings while Chippa slip down to 14th following a third defeat in seven matches. The Chilli Boys are still waiting for their first win of the campaign.

Jeremy Brockie was hoping to make an instant impact on debut and was awarded a glorious chance to do so after Thabo Rakhale chopped down Mxolisi Kunene inside the area.

The New Zealand international stepped up to the penalty spot, but Patrick Tignyemb guessed the right way, diving to his right to keep out the forward's tame effort in the 20th minute.

Brockie was almost made to rue the missed chance straight away as William Twala rattled the woodwork at the other end of the pitch moments later.

Kunene was toying with the Chilli Boys defence for most of the evening and came close to finding the back of the net himself with 38 minutes on the clock, but like Twala's, his shot cannoned off the crossbar and out of danger.

Maritzburg found the game's only goal three minutes before the break as Kutumela pounced on the loose ball before providing a rasping finish from the edge of the area.

The forward had a chance to double the hosts' lead just after the hour mark, but after Tignyemb palmed Kunene's shot straight into his path, Kutumela could only succeed in blasting his resulting shot over with the goal at his mercy.

Chances were few and far between in the closing stages as Maritzburg ultimately held on for a deserved win in front of their home crowd.

Maritzburg United (1) 1 (Kutumela 42')

Chippa United (0) 0

Maritzburg United: Ofori; De Reuck, Xulu, Morgan, Claasen, Shandu, Ntshangase (Sangweni 52'), Kunene, Kutumela, Brockie (Allie 72'), Lea'alafa (Nyoni 46')

Chippa United: Tignyemb; Damons, Moyo, Mthethwa, Mashaba, Rakhale, Komane, Malepe, Twala (L.Manzini 65'), Lentjies (Mbenyane 54'), R.Manzini.