Rowan Human grabbed a brace in the first half as Maritzburg United started the promotion and relegation play-offs by beating Casric Stars 2-0 at Harry Gwala Stadium on Wednesday night.
Human blasted the first from range after Casris Stars defence backed off, catching Kgomotso Baloyi with a cracking strike at the far corner.
The Bidvest Wits graduate added a second, running onto Karim Kimvuidi’s pass before calmly clipping the ball over the onrushing Baloyi.
It means Maritzburg has gone top in the mini league with three points due to better goal difference, levelled with Cape Town Spurs, who beat Casric 1-0 on Sunday away from home.
It means Casric, who finished third in the Motsepe Foundation Championship table, is up against it as they are left with two games having lost the first two.
The game was under threat as the rain crushed through Durban and Pietermaritzburg and this could have led to the match being postponed.
The draining system on this surface was not the best, according to Maritzburg official. While the rain affected the surface, it also gave players an advantage to take shots from range to trouble goalkeepers as it was wet in both posts.
These games are the most expensive in South Africa football, looking at what you are guaranteed to get in the DStv Premiership, especially since the league will have three cup competitions next season.
Maritzburg’s Bonginkosi Makume, who was relegated with Baroka FC last season after they lost to Maritzburg in the last game, almost gifted Casric a goal in the third minute of the game as he was too casual in heading the ball to Renaldo Leaner.
A moment later, Makume almost contributed on the other end, clipping the ball over on Casric’s drawn out defence but Genino Palace was denied by Baloyi.
Stylish Kimvuidi, running the show, the Congolese international smashed the ball to the side-netting after Baloyi had come off his line as Maritzburg were searching for the opener.
However, Maritzburg made it count and Harry Gwala Stadium was bouncing. Friday Samu broke free and while his path was blocked, the ball was cleared to Human, who accepted the invitation by unleashing a powerful shot in the 27th minute.
Club chairman Farook Kadodia, sitting right in front of the media section, stayed rooted in his seat, while members of his management jumped for joy.
Human added the second in the 41st minute to calm the nerves by clipping the ball over Baloyi, and this time Kadodia stood up to clap. It was superb pass by Kimvuidi, picking up the lurking attacker on the left-hand side.
Maritzburg should have won this game by the bigger margin but missed several chances in the second half. Brandon Theron came close to adding the third but his shot crashed the upright.
