VICTORY ELUDES TEAM OF CHOICE IN CAPE TOWN
16 August, 2022
Maritzburg United had to settle for just a point despite a good showing in their 0-0 DStv Premiership draw with Cape Town City at a chilly Athlone Stadium on Tuesday night.
The Team of Choice defended well and also created numerous scoring chances, including hitting the post twice.
After a lively start from both sides, Maritzburg were unlucky not to take the lead in the 13th minute when Brandon Theron arrived at the back post and fired a volley from a tight angle against the upright.
Although City had lots of the ball, the Team of Choice kept their shape well and worked hard in defence, while also creating a couple of openings up front as Tawanda Macheke headed wide from a free kick and Lelethu Skelem was denied by City keeper Darren Keet rushing off his line.
Moving into the second half, the Cape side went close in the 51st minute through a Mduduzi Mdantsane shot from 20-yards out.
Maritzburg then had chances of their own as Macheke nearly put in Skelem - Tariq Fielies making a last-gasp tackle, before Brian Hlonga's header from a corner was cleared by Mark van Heerden.
The Team of Choice then struck the woodwork again, Friday Samu seeing his 66th minute header from a corner failing to go in.
There was another opportunity 12 minutes later for John Maduka's side - after some good work from Samu the ball fell nicely for Rowan Human, but he pulled the shot inches wide.
In an exciting ending to the game, United nearly found an added time winner, but it wasn't to be on a blustery evening down in the Cape as Siboniso Conco scooped his shot over the bar from inside the box before Samu fired over with the final kick of the night.
Starting XI: Ndlovu, Moloisane, Makume, Hlongwa, Theron, Mashikinya, Palace, Monomodi, Kimvuidi, Skelem, Macheke
Subs: Anye Derick Fru, Masia, Samu, Conco, Human, Ritchie, Van Der Ross,
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