Maritzburg United claimed their first DStv Premiership victory of the season after edging Bloemfontein Celtic 2-1 on Saturday evening.
Maritzburg were without goalkeeper Sebastian Mwange as Jethren Barr was given the nod while new signing Clayton Daniels made his debut. Meanwhile, Celtic only named four players on the bench.
The Team of Choice took the game to Celtic early on as Tebogo Tlolane came the closest to opening the scoring in the fourth minute with a low strike that was saved by shot-stopper Sipho Chaine.
The pressure from Ernst Middendorp's charges finally paid off in the 26th minute after Thabiso Kutumela rounded Chaine from Keagan Buchanan's through ball to fire into an empty net on his return to the side.
United had a glorious chance from the penalty spot with ten minutes left of the first stanza after Ryan De Jongh brought down Daylon Claasen, which allowed Kutumela to slot into the bottom corner from 12 yards.
John Maduka's troops had a fight in them in the early stages of the second stanza but they could not penetrate a resilient Martizburg defence.
However, Thato Lingwati came close to pulling a goal back for Siwelele in the 68th minute with a header inside the box from a free-kick that sailed slightly wide.
Victor Letsoalo eventually reduced the deficit to 2-1 in the last seven minutes with a half-volley past Barr from close-range after poor clearance by Claasen.
Celtic had the momentum in the dying minutes, putting United, but Maritzburg were able to hold on to claim their first win since March 2020.
Confirmed line-ups:
Maritzburg: Barr, Allie, Daniels, Hachi, Kutumela, Buchanan, Tlolane, Graham, Claasen, Ismail, Moseamedi.
Subs: Mpandle, Hlubi, Sanoka, Mngonyama, Modise, Hlongwane, Meza, Shandu, Morgan.
Celtic: Chaine, Mahashe, Ngobeni, Fikizolo, Lingwati, De Jongh, Tchilimbou, Luthuli, Letsoalo, Mangweni, Potsane.
Subs: Mpoto, Kobedi, Sera, Ndwandwe.