Caution: Khune

Kaizer Motaung’s 61st minute strike handed Kaizer Chiefs their third win in a row as they beat Maritzburg United by 1-0 at Olympia Stadium in Rustenburg on Saturday afternoon.

The singing of Happy Birthday song kicked off the proceedings in what was a very hot afternoon in Rustenburg. Kaizer Chiefs turned 39 years on 7 January after the Club was formed on the same date back in 1970.

The Glamour Boys looked dangerous every time they surge forward particularly on the left side where debutant Punch Masenamela was looking impressive but it was Maritzburg United who were the first to create a real opportunity of the game when Fanyana Dhladhla tested Itumeleng Khune inside the 18 area but the Ventersdorp-born goalkeeper thwarted the danger.

Gordon Igesund was forced to make an early change bringing on Siphiwe Mkhonza for injured Bangeta Dikulu.

The first half failed to produce any goals as both team went to halftime goalless.

Muhsin Ertugral brought striker, Tshepo Bulu for midfielder, David Mathebula to add some spark upfront. However it was Maritzburg United who came close when Gary Goldstone’s header from Tony Tsabedze's free kick went just wide of Itumeleng Khune’s goals. The latter was called to duty once again as he dived low to save Tony Tsabedze’s strike as the visitors searched for an opening goal.

Substitute, Tshepo Bulu should have opened scoring for the home side as his header went over the bar following a sublime cross from Siphiwe Tshabalala. Then a lightening strike from Arthur Zwane from 30 yards went just wide of Tashique Goldman’s goalpost, 0 – 0.

Wayne Matle, starting his third game for Amakhosi, watched his cracking 35 metre drive going just over the bar as the Glamour Boys searched for the opening goal of the match.

The goal finally came in a form of a tap in from Kaizer Motaung Jr in the 60th minute following some neat work from Abia Nale. The Kaizer Chiefs no. 11 had done well to control Siphiwe Tshabalala’s cross sending it to Kaizer Jr who scored his second goal in two games for Chiefs.

In what was a scorching heat, referee Mathew Dyer gave both team a ‘water break’ at in the 70th minute.

Maritzburg United searching for an equaliser came close in the 74th minute with Aka’s flying header going just wide of Itumeleng Khune’s left pole. This was following a good cross from right-back, Tshepo Mashishi.

Kaizer Motaung was unlucky not to grab a brace towards the end of the game as his volley came off the upright with goalkeeper, Tashrique Goldman at full stretch.

The Glamour Boys remain on fourth position tied with Orlando Pirates on 29 points. The loss left Maritzburg United in a precarious 15th position with only 16 points after 18 games.

Kaizer Chiefs will travel to Cape Town next weekend to meet Ajax Cape Town in what promises to be a thrill-a-minute encounter.

Chiefs: Khune, Matle, Masenamela, Quartey, Rooi (Nahayo 85), Nengomasha, Zwane, Mathebula, Nale, Motaung Jr., Tshabalala (Mooki 75).

Substitutes not used: Baron, Nkambule, Zuke, Tau

Technical Team


Muhsin Ertugral (Head Coach)


Fani Madida (Assistant Coach)


Rainer Dinkelacker (Goalkeeper Coach)


Elsa Storm (Fitness Trainer)

United: Goldman, Mashishi, Ngwepe, Dikulu (Mkhonza 29), Goldstone, Mbemba (Aka 66), Dhladhla (Pule 61), Arwuah, Davids, Mngomezulu, Tsabedze.


Substitutes not used: Mathebula, Ndlovu, Zimba, Gilstrap.

Technical Team


Gordon Igesund (Head Coach)


Clinton Larsen (Assistant Coach)


Ronnie Kanalelo (Goalkeeper Coach)


Debra Mitchell (Physiotherapist)


Johan Serfontein (Physiotherapist)

Match Officials


Mathew Deyer (Referee)


E. Molefe (1st Assistant)


M. Chalambisa (2nd Assistant)


G. Piedt (4th Official)


Stan Swart (Match Commissioner)