A goal from Bernard Parker was enough to help Kaizer Chiefs secure a narrow 1-0 victory over Maritzburg United in the DStv Premiership at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Sunday.
Stuart Baxter kept the same side that beat Orlando Pirates before the international break as Sbusiso Mabiliso came in to replace the injured S’fiso Hlanti, while Ramahlwe Mphahlele start his first game of this season Leonardo Castro being named on the bench after recovering from a long-term injury.
Amakhosi showed their intent early on and produced the first chance of the game after two minutes but Nkosingiphile Ngcobo’s header hit the ground before sailing over the crossbar.
The Team of Choice had a chance of their own seven minutes later but Bongokuhle Hlongwane directed his header across the face of goal with none of his teammates able to make any connection with his effort.
Hlongwane came close to opening the scoring in the 22nd minute but the United attacker failed to beat Amakhosi keeper Daniel Akpeyi who did well to make the save.
Akpeyi was called into action again in the 34th minute when he produced a good save to deny Phiwayinkosi Zuma’s effort, which lacked the power to trouble the Amakhosi keeper.
Neither side could be separated after the first 45 minute of play as the game went into the half time break locked at 0-0.
The second half got off to a rocky start with both teams making cagey tackles in the opening few minutes of the second stanza.
The visitors eventually took the lead in the 63rd minute when Bernard Parker beat the offside trap before finding the back of the with a superb head to make it 1-0.
Amakhosi were forced to make a substitution in the 75th minute when Nange was stretched off the field after picking up an injury and he was subsequently replaced by Kgaogelo Sekgota before they were forced to make another substitution after Anthony Agay replaced the injured Alexander.
The Team of Choice pressed forward in the closing stages of the game as they went in search of an equalising goal but Amakhosi managed to hold on to walk away from all three points.
