In a pulsating encounter at a rocking Harry Gwala Stadium, the Team of Choice came from a goal down as Judas Moseamedi cancelled out Lebogang Manyama’s opener.
United then had the better openings to win the game, including a penalty, but in the end theyhad to accept the point against the league leaders.
The opening stages of the game were lively, with both sides showing good attacking intent.
The Team of Choice started brightly and had a half chance in the eighth minute when Mxolisi Kunene’s long ball into the box picked out Moseamedi, but the latter was unable to keep his effort on target.
With the stands packed to capacity and the atmosphere electric, the pace of the game was accordingly fast and the action end-to-end.
With 20 minutes played, Chiefs broke swiftly down the right flank through Samir Nurkovic, who pulled the ball across the box for Manyama to head home, via a deflection.
On a wet afternoon in Pietermaritzburg, the hosts though continued to give as good as they got and there was a sharp chance for Jeremy Brockie four minutes later, but he was unable to convert.
As United continued to attack, they had a succession of shots and crosses blocked. Chiefs meanwhile looked to hit on the counter and were close to adding a second goal through George Maluleka on the half hour mark.
The home faithful did however not have to wait long to celebrate as Maritzburg equalised in the 34th minute through Moseamedi, who following a long ball from goalkeeper Richard Ofori, pounced upon a mistake by Willard Katsande before clinically beating Chiefs keeper Daniel Akpeyi with a low shot.
The Team of Choice then had a chance to go in front three minutes later, but Brockie failed to capitalise.
The action continued to come thick and fast after the restart as still the two sides traded blow for blow on attack.
The KZN team had more opportunities to score as Micah Lea'alafa fired a volley over the bar before Moseamedi got into the box but was unable to get a shot away.
The pressure looked to have paid off for United when they earned a 65th minute penalty after Katsande had taken down Keegan Buchanan in the box.
Daylon Claasen stepped up for the spot kick, but the scoreline remained unchanged as Akpeyi deflected the ball onto the upright and away from goal.
Fortune continued to elude Eric Tinkler’s side as Dan Morgan’s header deflected off a Chiefs defender and hit the woodwork five minutes later.
Claasen was then close to making amends when he just failed to find the net with a well-struck long range shot.
Amakhosi had an opportunity through Khama Billiat in the 78th minute, but he shot tamely at Ofori.
From then on in however it was pretty much all Maritzburg as they went in search of a winner.
Chances followed, but there was no end product as Lea'alafa and Moseamedi both dragged shots wide.
With the game in the dying seconds and the rain coming down, Lea'alafa could have sealed victory for the Team of Choice, but his shot was fired too close to Akpeyi, who kept the ball out.
TEAMS
Maritzburg: Ofori, Morgan, Kunene, Mngonyama, De Reuck, Allie, Timm, Buchanan, Claasen, Brockie, Moseamedi.
Subs: Mpandle, Sanoka, Jappie, Shandu, Lea'alafa, Kutumela, Augusto
Chiefs Akpeyi, Ngezana, Sasman, Cardoso, Mathoho, Maluleka, Manyama, Katsande, Billiat, Castro, Nurkovic
Subs: Bvuma, Kambole, Ngcobo, Baccus, Frosler, Ntiya-Ntiya, Zuma
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