Staff Reporter.
Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila secured a 1-0 win over Maritzburg United in the DStv Premiership match at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday afternoon.
Both teams started slowly, but then Vhadau Vha Damani found their offensive rhythm after the 15th-minute mark with Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo pulling the strings from midfield.
Maritzburg goalkeeper Marcel Engelhardt pulled off a comfortable save to deny Lerato Lamola, who was looking to score with a header at the near post in the 19th minute.
The Team of Choice improved as the game progressed and keeper Washington Arubi pulled off a brilliant save to deny Clayton Daniels, before blocking a shot from Thabiso Kutumela.
The momentum was with Tshakhuma after the half-hour mark, with Engelhardt pulling off magnificent saves to deny Ndlondlo, Thabo Rakhale and Celimpilo Ngema to ensure the score was 0-0 at the interval.
Daniel Morgan, Nazeer Allie and Bandile Shandu were all introduced by Maritzburg coach Ernst Middendorp prior to the start of the second half as the visitors looked to break the deadlock.
The Team of Choice applied some pressure on the Vhadau Vha Damani defence, but the likes of Lehlohonolo Nonyane and Ayanda Nkili defended very well at the back for the hosts.
On the other hand, the hosts looked dangerous whenever they pushed forward and they managed to break the deadlock through in-form playmaker Ndlondlo, who scored following a brilliant solo run.
The 25-year-old player dribbled past two Maritzburg defenders, before beating Engelhardt with a low shot at the near-post to make it 1-0 to Tshakhuma in the 68th minute.
However, the match ended in a 1-0 win in favour of Tshakhuma, who were able to contain Maritzburg in the dying minutes of the encounter.
Meanwhile, TTM who won the Nedbank Cup last week have since leapfrogged Stellenbosch FC into 14th place in the standings.