Kaizer Chiefs made it three wins on the spin in the DStv Premiership after they beat Maritzburg United 3-2 at a packed Harry Gwala Stadium on Saturday night.
Arthur Zwane's side raced into a two goal lead as Keagan Dolly opened the scoring on five minutes before Christian Saile bagged a second after 10 minutes.
However, a spirited fightback from the Team of Choice saw Rafiq De Goede halve the deficit on 20 minutes and Amadou Soukouna restored parity with a beautiful free-kick four minutes before halftime.
The Glamour Boys would not be denied though, as Yusuf Maart fired them back in front from the penalty spot in the 70th minute to secure all three points which meant they kept pace with arch-rivals Orlando Pirates, who beat SuperSport United earlier in the day.
Maritzburg vs Kaizer Chiefs at the Harry Gwala never disappoints ??
— SuperSport Football ?? (@SSFootball) March 18, 2023
Amakhosi are level on points with Pirates and two points off the CAF Champions League spot. pic.twitter.com/hQQiyu8PW8
Fadlu Davids's team were looking to snap a five-match winless run in the league, while Chiefs had their sights set on a third consecutive victory which they'd achieved just once this season.
The first half was an end-to-end affair and Amakhosi got off to the perfect start when they capitalised on a defensive mistake in the fifth minute.
Ashley Du Preez was sent clear down the right flank and Renaldo Leaner slipped as he came out to close the angle, allowing the winger to square the ball to Dolly, who slotted a first-time shot into an open net from the edge of the box.
The Chiefs supporters were celebrating again just five minutes later after seeing Saile score a fine solo goal. The DR Congo striker picked up the ball in midfield and turned on the gas before unleashing a powerful shot into the bottom right corner of the net from just outside the area.
The hosts were showing plenty of attacking intent and they went close on 12 minutes when Kimvuidi lashed a shot just past the left post after controlling the ball on the edge of the box from a free-kick.
They hit back on the 20-minute mark as De Goede found space at the near post to beat Petersen with a header from an outswinging corner.
Saile should perhaps have done better when he directed a downward header wide at the back post from a 26th-minute corner and Amakhosi were made to pay just before halftime.
Soukouna gave Petersen no chance from a free-kick that flew into the top left corner of the net from 20 yards out on the left.
The KZN outfit nearly took the lead on the stroke of halftime but De Goede was unable to hit the target with a header after meeting a free-kick at the back post.
They threatened again shortly after the restart as Kimvuidi showed his strength to hold off Zitha Kwinika before hitting a shot on the turn just wide of the right post from the edge of the D.
Maritzburg continued to hold their own but a controversial decision on 70 minutes resulted in them conceding a third goal.
Du Preez went down under minimal contact from De Goede inside the box on the left and the referee eventually pointed to the spot after a lengthy deliberation. Maart maintained his composure to beat Leaner from 12 yards out and restore the Glamour Boys' lead.
The Team of Choice pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages and Soukouna tested Petersen with a daisy-cutter from just outside the area on 82 minutes, while a Chiefs defender got a vital touch as the French striker looked to steer a header home at the right post two minutes later.
The Soweto giants survived a late scare when Soukouna's free-kick was deflected just over the crossbar deep into stoppage time.Maritzburg United (2) 2 (De Goede 20', Soukouna 41')
Kaizer Chiefs (2) 3 (Dolly 5', Saile 10', Maart 72' PEN)
Maritzburg United: R. Leaner, L. Bhengu (B Theron 59'), R. De Goede, B. Makume, B. Cross, J. Meza, T. Graham (W. Jooste 80'), K. Kimvuidi (R. Human 88'), K. Ritchie, K. Peprah (F. Samu 80'), A. Soukouna.
Kaizer Chiefs:B. Petersen, D. Solomons, Z. Kwinika, E. Dove, S. Hlanti, S. Sithebe, Y. Maart, K. Dolly, M. Shabalala (Nj. Ngcobo 81'), A. Du Preez, C. Saile.