Kaizer Chiefs beat Maritzburg United 2-0 in an Absa Premiership encounter at the FNB Stadium on Saturday evening. It was a well-deserved win thanks to goals from Lorenzo Gordinho and William Twala.

Michelle Katsvairo made his starting debut after having come on in Amakhosi’s previous two encounters.

Somewhat surprisingly, it was the visiting team that had most of the early ball possession, even getting close to scoring twice in the opening 18 minutes (the second attempt actually hit the back of the net), but the referee ruled that offences were involved in both efforts.

However, thereafter Chiefs got the break they were looking for. A well-taken corner by George Lebese had the ball flying to Gordinho’s head, who finished beautifully. It was already the second goal of the season for the strong defender.

Earlier, there had also been a good chance to score for Katsvairo, but he couldn’t get the ball past the Maritzburg goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation.

After the goal, Amakhosi started to play better, getting more often into the visitor’s box.

Chiefs extended the lead on the brink of halftime. Katsvairo delivered an excellent pass with his left to Twala, who made a fine run behind the Maritzburg defence, got the ball and finished superbly, 2-0.

Maritzburg coach Ernst Middendorp made two substitutions immediately after the break, obviously with the intent to still get something out of this encounter. And, to be fair, the Team of Choice didn’t give up, dominating ball possession again in the early stages of the second half.

But later on, Chiefs took over, even creating a few fine opportunities.

Amakhosi coach Steve Komphela made a tactical change in the 61st minute by bringing on Daniel Cardoso for Lebese. It resulted in the Glamour Boys playing with three in the centre of defence (Cardoso, Erick Mathoho and Gordinho), giving the wing-backs more freedom to join in attacking moves.

Still, the Maritzburg players never gave up, giving Itumeleng Khune a few opportunities to show his class.

Just before the final whistle, Hendrick Ekstein got a chance to extend the lead, but he waited a little bit too long to shoot from close range, giving a defender the opportunity to intervene and to intercept the ball.

Khune was selected as the Man of the Match for making some fine saves, especially in the second half.

In the end, it was a good win for Amakhosi on Heritage Day.

Thanks to the victory, Chiefs now have seven points after four Absa Premiership matches played.

The Glamour Boys next to travel to Orkney to face Free State Stars at the James Motlatsi Stadium on Wednesday, 28 September 2016 (kick-off at 19:30).

Kaizer Chiefs (2) 2 (Gordinho 19’, Twala 45’)

Maritzburg United 0

Kaizer Chiefs: Khune; Mphahlele, Mathoho, Gordinho, Khumalo; Twala, Katsande, Maluleka (Tshabalala 72’), Lebese (Cardoso 61’); Ekstein, Katsvairo (Parker 80’)

Maritzburg United: Vries; Mngonyama (Van Wyk 46’), Onyango, Fransman, Weidlich; Zulu (Nale 46’), Mogapi, Moyo, Mekoa; Lentjies, Rusike