Maritzburg too much for Chippa

Goals from Mohammed Anas, Nhlanhla Vilakazi and Sheldon Van Wyk handed Maritzburg United a 3-0 win over Chippa United in an Absa Premiership match at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Tuesday night.

It was an entreating first half as the action flowed from end to end with both teams throwing players forward in attack.

The home side started the better of the two teams and had the first significant effort on goal in the fifth minute when Ashley Hartog met a Thamsanqa Mkhize cross, but his header sailed just over the target.

Seven minutes later Mkhize tested the fingertips of Fatau Dauda from a 24-yard free-kick, but the Chippa keeper made a good save.

The home team made their pressure tell in the 20th minute when Mohammed Anas headed home a Khumbulani Banda cross, 1-0.

Chippa suffered a further set-back a couple of minutes later when Joseph Molongoane had to leave the field injured and was replaced by Dumisani Zwane.

Nonetheless, despite being a goal down and having already made a substitute, Chippa pressed forward and came close to levelling matters in the 24th minute when a David Zulu shot from the edge of the box skimmed the crossbar.

A minute later the play was at the other end of the park as Mondi Cele tried his luck from range, but his effort also touched the woodwork.

Chippa finished the stronger of the two teams, but could not find an equaliser before the break.

The start of the second half saw Maritzburg double their lead only five minutes in when Nhlanhla Vilakazi superbly turned home a pass from Anas, 2-0.

Chippa tried to find their way back into the game, but struggled to break down an organised United defence.

The away side did come close in the 76th minute when Mondi Cele met a right wing cross with a strong header, but he saw his attempt sail over the target.

Sheldon Van Wyk put the result beyond doubt in the 85th minute with United’s third goal after fine finish from just inside the box, 3-0.

Maritzburg United (1) 3 (Anas 19’, Vilakazi 50’, Van Wyk 85’)

Chippa United (0) 0

Teams:

Maritzburg United: Vries, Mabaso, Matuka, Mngonyama, Pantsil, Hartog, Cele (Lentjies 76’), Mkhize, Vilakazi (Booysen 62’), Banda (Van Wyk 69’), Anas.

Chippa United: Dauda, Mvelase, S. Zulu, Nene, Sambo, Sangweni, Mbenyane, Molongoane [Zwane 22’ (Ntshingila72’)], D. Zulu, Thwala, Cele (Khune 82’).