Chiefs Edge Five-Goal Thriller At Sold Out Harry Gwala

Kaizer Chiefs bagged a fourth straight win in all competitions after defeating Maritzburg United in a five-goal thriller at a sold out Harry Gwala Stadium.

DStv Premiership

Result: Maritzburg United 2-3 Kaizer Chiefs

Date: 18 March 2023

Venue: Harry Gwala Stadium

The Soweto giants were boosted by the return of striker Christian Basomboli Saile, who replaces Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana while Dillan Solomons came in for the suspended Siyabonga Ngezana.

Arthur Zwane's charges got off to the perfect start when a slip by goalkeeper Renaldo Learner allowed Ashley du Preez the time to pick out Keagan Dolly, who slotted into an ungarded net from the edge of the box.

The lead was doubled in the ninth minute when Salie picked up a loose ball and surged towards the box before unleashing a low strike that sailed into the bottom corner for his first league goal.

Despite the fast start by the visitors, Maritzburg managed to pull a goal back in the 20th minute when Mogamad de Geode grabbed his first league goal by nodding home a corner from Keegan Ritchie at the near post.

The pace of the encounter showed no signs of slowing down after that, with Karim Kimvuidi and Jose Ali Meza seeing a lot of the ball down the flanks for the Team of Choice. 

Maritzburg would go on to draw level five minutes before the break when Amadou Soukouna found the back of the net with a powerful free-kick that sailed into the near post, taking his tally to five league goals.

Are you enjoying our new online stadium? SNL24.com is Soccer Laduma's new home. You'll not only get the best soccer news, but you will also be able to comment on articles, view other comments, save articles to read later and much more! SIGN UP for free and explore our new home! 

Chiefs started the second half in similar fashion to the first, with Du Preez and Dolly causing a bit of havoc in the final third, however they were unable to trouble Leaner between the sticks.

Maritzburg coach Fadlu Davids was forced to make a change just before the hour mark as Brandon Theron replaced Lungelo  Bhengu, who was unable to continue after sustaining an injury.

With 20 minutes to go in the second half, the Soweto giants were awarded a penalty for De Goede's foul on Mduduzi Shabalala in the box. Yusuf Maart stepped up and calmly slotted into the far corner to restore Chiefs' lead.

As Maritzburg pushed for an equaliser, Zwane opted to add more protection in the midfield as Shabalala made way for Njabulo Ngcobo with ten minutes left on the clock.

Here's how they lined up:

Maritzburg United: 32. Leaner, 3. De Goede, 24. Bhengu, 5. Makume, 2. Cross, 6. Graham, 16. Ritchie, 46. Peprah, 14. Meza, 26. Kimvuidi, 11. Soukouna

Subs: 31. Ndlovu, 27. Ndengane, 20. Samu, 22. Theron, 50. Tlolane, 36. Zuma, 45. Jooste, 10. Human, 28. Palace

Kaizer Chiefs: 1. Petersen, 18. Solomons, 3. Dove, 24. Kwinika, 13. Hlanti, 8. Sithebe, 6. Maart, 42. Shabalala, 10. Dolly, 9. Du Preez, 21. Saile

Subs: 44. Bvuma, 27. Ngcobo, 29. Dube, 19. Mashiane, 5. Mahlatsi, 22. Matlou, 36. Zwane, 36. Duba, 28. Bimenyimana.

You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments. 

Click here to register!