Soccer

Maritzburg United beat Eagles to secure top-flight status

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Maritzburg United players celebrating

Maritzburg United secured their spot in next season’s Absa Premiership after a 2-0 win over Royal Eagles that sees Eric Tinkler’s team move to an unassailable nine points on the promotion playoff log.

The Team of Choice came into the game knowing that a win would secure their spot in the Absa premiership for the 2019-20 season by moving to an unassailable points difference on the promotion playoff table with two wins from two.

Eagles, on the other hand, were looking to bounce back from the 2-1 loss at the hands of TTM in their previous game which kept the side on two points. They, however, knew prior to kick-off that a win would put them level on points with Maritzburg and crack the race for promotion wide open.

Maritzburg started the game on the front foot and created the first chance of note with 12 minutes gone as Bongokuhle Hlongwane whipped in a dangerous cross inches away from the head of Judas Moseamedi.

It was proving to be a tight game as both teams struggled to keep hold of the ball or create any real openings after the Moseamedi chance.

The game looked to be heading into the break goalless until Siphesihle Ndlovu picked the ball up in the box after a neat one-two, before he managed to squeeze his shot in at the front post from a tight angle and hand his side the lead three minutes before the break.

1-0 to the away side at the interval with Maritzburg 45 minutes away from securing their top-flight status.

It was much of the same in the second half as both teams struggled for fluency, and when they did get in advanced positions, the final ball lacked the quality required to make the difference.

Then, with 72 minutes on the clock, Thabiso Kutumela all but killed off the game with a sublime free kick. The forward curled his effort around the wall and into the bottom corner to double his side’s advantage.

The Eagles tried to find a way back into the game, but it was not forthcoming as Tinkler’s men held on for the all-important three points to ensure they will be competing in the top flight come August.

Photo: Kabelo Leputu/ BackpagePix