Kaizer Chiefs collected their first win of the 2022/23 DStv Premiership season after goals by Ashely Du Preez and Keagan Dolly.
The Amakhosi started the game on the front foot, with Du Preez opening his Chiefs account in the fourth minute, slotting it calmly past Maritzburg United goalkeeper King Ndlovu.
The home side controlled large parts of the first-half proceedings and Maritzburg made it harder for themselves when Bonginkosi Makume played a risky pass to Ndlovu after being put under pressure by Yusuf Maart. Even though the goalkeeper could save the initial attempt by Khama Billiat, Dolly had an empty net and scored with a long-range shot in the 24th minute.
Friday Samu almost put Maritzburg on the scoresheet with a beautiful volley from outside the box but he was denied by the crossbar in the 31st minute.
Just two minutes later, Dolly had a chance to complete his brace, but Ndlovu was alert to keep the Chiefs captain out.
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Chiefs carried their two-goal lead into the break and brought on Nkosingiphile Ngcobo for Matlou at half-time. Maritzburg looked more threatening in the second half with Bvuma called into action in the 55th minute, parrying a free-kick from Keagan Ritchie.
Du Preez had a chance to score his second in the 59th minute but his attempt from close range flew over the bar, while the assistant flag was raised anyway.
Chiefs took the step off the pedal a little bit in the second half, but youngster Mduduzi Shabalala, who came on as a late substitute, scored his first goal for the senior team in the third minute of injury-time after being set up by Billiat.
It was also Arthur Zwane’s first three points as head coach of the Glamour Boys, and the manner in which his team collected them impressed many fans in the stands and on tv screens.
