Sekhukhune United FC secured a 1-0 win over Maritzburg United in the DStv Premiership on Saturday evening, at The New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
The game got off to an exciting start with the host team getting a lot of chances but failing to convert.
With ten minutes on the clock, Vusumuzi Mncube got what could have been Babina Noko’s first goal when he found himself in a one-on-one position with the Team of Choice Goalkeeper King Ndlovu but he missed a glorious opportunity.
Babina Noko looked more comfortable on the ball with the Team of Choice providing little attacking threat, once again Babina Noko found themselves in the Team of Choice half when Victor Letsoalo fired a shot over the crossbar from close range. It was a mixture of failure to convert chances and solid defense from the visitors that kept the home team at bay.
The referee called time on the first 45 with neither side able to make the most of their goal-scoring opportunities.
Sekhukhune United began the second half on the front foot, seeking to gain control of the game but once again calmness in front of the goal proved elusive. The game seemed destined for a draw.
The Team of Choice was dealt a heavy blow when defender Bradley Cross received his marching orders with 10 minutes to go following a rough challenge on the edge of his penalty area. The red card sparked the home team to make a triple substitute by bringing on, Mosiatlhaga, Mabasa, and Vilakazi, it was the latter who scored a crucial goal minutes after coming on, to give the Babina Noko all three points.
In the end, Sekhukhune United bagged 3 crucial points to move up to 6th place in the DSTV Premiership standings.
XI: Sangare, Ntiya-Ntiya, Cardoso, Gyimah, Mobbie, Kabwe (Mabasa 82’), Mokotjo, Mncube, Letsoalo (Tshibwabwa 91’), Mokwana (Vilakazi 82’), Ohizu (Mosiatlhaga 82’)
