Maritzburg United revived their survival hopes with a morale-boosting 2-1 win over Black Leopards on Saturday afternoon.
The home side were off to a sloppy start, but grew stronger well on the 20th minute mark as Hlongwane fired the first effort on target.
Lidoda Duvha, who have knack for opening teams up at home, struggled to get momentum going up front with a number of their attacks going astray.
In the last 10 minutes to halftime, Siphesihle Ndlovu received a great chance to put United ahead but King Ndlovu rose to the occasion with a point-blank save.
Within a minute to the break, Kateregga almost made his presence felt from the edge of the area with a low shot but Ndlovu once again made a rescue act.
The Team of Choice made a change at the break after Mxolisi Kunene replaced Bandile Shandu in the middle of the park and went in front through Mohau Mokate off Fortune Makaringe’s assist.
As Leopards contemplated a come back, the visitors doubled their advantage five minutes later after Makaringe’s persistence forced Jean Munganga to put the ball into his own net.
Dylan Kerr’s men finally pulled a goal back after 62 minutes, with Mwape Musonda nabbing his 15th of the season.
The Team of Choice looked to re-establish their two-goal advantage later on, but lacked the cutting edge to force Ndlovu into a few saves.
As neither chances happened, the visitors left Thohoyandou with a crucial three points thatsure to boost their survival chances.
Teams:
Leopards: K.Ndlovu, Munyai, Zulu, Munganga, Katjiukua, Masalesa, Bereng, Hlongwane, Musonda, Tshepe, Mahangwahaya.
Subs: Muleka, Masia, Mudau, Sekotlong, Mokoena, Mhlongo, T.Ndlovu.
Maritzburg: Ofori, Xulu, Allie, Shandu Onyango, Makaringe, Timm, Hlongwane, Mokate, Kateregga. Ndlovu.
Subs: Mpandle, De Reuck, Kunene, Matsi, Zakri, Moseamedi, Mekoa.
