Maritzburg beat Casric to keep hopes alive

Maritzburg United claimed a 2-0 win over Casric Stars in a PSL promotion/relegation playoff match at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The victory kept the Team of Choice's hopes of retaining their status in the PSL alive as they are three points behind playoff log leaders, Cape Town Spurs ahead of the two teams clash on Wednesday in Pietermaritzburg.

Casric, on the other hand, ended their playoffs campaign with a disappointing defeat', having lost all of their matches in the competition, and they will once again be campaigning in the Motsepe Foundation Championship next season.

The Team of Choice controlled the match from the start and they fired the first warning in the 12th minute when Karim Kimvuidi forced goalkeeper Ludwe Mpakumpaku into a smart save.

However, Mpakumpaku was beaten three minutes before the half-hour mark when Amadou Soukouna set up Rowan Human, who burst into the Believers' box before scoring to hand the visitors the lead and Maritzburg were 1-0 up at halftime.

Casric found it difficult to penetrate the Maritzburg defence after the restart and coach Bucs Mthombeni decided to introduce former Kaizer Chiefs attacking midfielder Given Thibedi in the 57th minute.

Both teams launched attacks in the last 20 minutes of the game and Rafiq De Goede grabbed the visitors' second goal of the game when he beat Mpakumpaku with a fine finish in the 71st minute to seal Maritzburg's 2-0 win.

CASRIC (0) 0

MARITZBURG (1) 2 (Human 27', De Goede 71')