Going into Sunday’s showdown at a packed Harry Gwala Stadium, it was always going to be a big challenge for the Team of Choice against a high-flying Amakhosi side, who had come into the match with 11 wins, one draw and one defeat from 13 league games. Indeed, prior to Sunday, Chiefs had won eight league games on the trot.
But apart from a nervy opening period, which saw the Glamour Boys taking the lead in the 21st minute, United more than matched their illustrious opponents.
Judas Moseamedi kept up his fine record against Chiefs with a 34th minute equaliser, and had Maritzburg been more clinical in front of goal, they could well have come away with victory.
“I said the first 20 minutes were going to be very important, and I thought we were a bit cagey in that first 20 minutes,” coach Eric explained.
“We were looking to play long balls and not trying to play through the back. We were looking to hit long balls for the two strikers, and then the pressure started mounting on us.
“Through an individual mistake we lose the ball, they play it in behind and they score. But the boys responded very well.
“I thought they responded extremely well,” the coach continued. “After that we started to play, we started to recognise that there were spaces. And I thought the last 15, 20 minutes of the first half we dominated.
“And I think the whole second half – yes they caught us once or twice on the counter, but I thought the whole second half we put them under pressure. I think we deserved a little bit more than we got, but we’ll take the point.”
After a short Christmas break, the Team of Choice return to the Harry Gwala for the KZN derby against Golden Arrows on Friday, January 3.
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