Highlands Park and Maritzburg United are still searching for a first win since the PSL restart after they played to a 1-1 draw at the Dobsonville Stadium on Saturday 29 August.
Maritzburg United came into the match off the back of a disappointing run of results since the resumption that has just about ruled out a push for a place in continental football.
Highlands Park have also been winless since the restart which has seen them fall out of the top eight.
Maritzburg United were in a position to play without pressure as they are virtually assured a top-eight finish.
In the reverse fixture on Women’s Day 2019, a stoppage-time goal from Peter Shalulile helped the Lions of the North grab a share of the spoils after Kwanda Mngonyama had given Maritzburg the lead.
Highlands Park 0-1 Maritzburg United: PSL match report
Highlands Park started the match seemingly stronger and crafted more early chances.
Maritzburg United were the first to find a killer finish though as marauding fullback Pogiso Sanoka met Bandile Shandu’s cross to give the Team of Choice an early lead.
The Lions of the North shaded possession in the first half but were less precise than the team from the Midlands in their passing and efforts on goal.
Half time
The side’s came out unchanged but after an uninspired start to the second-half Owen da Gama made a double change in the 11th minute of the second period.
Highlands Park switched up their midfield bringing on Musa Nyatama and Mokete Mogaila with Thalenta Mbatha and Luckyboy Mokoena withdrawn.
Eric Tinkler responded by bringing on fresh legs in the middle of the park on the hour in the form of Keagan Buchanan and Bongokuhle Hlongwane. The architect of United’s first-half goal Shandu and central midfielder Nathanael Bongo Mbourou were sacrificed.
As the match entered its twilight Highlands Park’s tensions threatened to boil over with Shalulile and Sifiso Mbhele booked.
Da Gama’s decision to bring on Rodney Ramagalela paid off as the target man restored parity with just four minutes left in regulation time.
Maritzburg United were left to rue the decision to try and sit on a lead against a dangerous Highlands Park team and for the second time this season this PSL fixture ended in a 1-1 draw, but not before the Team of Choice withstood a late onslaught from Da Gama’s pride.
The result leaves Maritzburg United sixth while move back into the top eight for the time being (Golden Arrows can leapfrog Highlands into eighth if they can beat seventh-placed Cape Town City in a match that kicks off at 18:00).
Highlands Park squad
Starting XI: Kapini, Mvaza, Munyai, Fransman, Mbhele, Rae, Mokoena, Mvala, T. Mbatha, L. Mbatha, Shalulile.
Subs: Heugh, Motsepe, Msana, Msimango, Jooste, Nyatama, Motlafi, Mogaila, Ramagalela.
Maritzburg United squad
Starting XI: Ofori, Sanoka, Morgan, Kutumela, De Reuck, Ntshangase, Shandu, Claasen, Bongo Mbourou, Tlolane, Moseamedi.
Subs: Mpandle, Mngonyama, Buchanan, Timm, Hlongwane, Augusto, Bhengu.
