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SIYANDA Xulu scored a horror own goal and then a brilliant winner as Kaizer Chiefs came from two goals down at half time to beat Maritzburg United 5-3 after extra time last night as they started the defence of their MTN8 title.

It looked to be a bad start for Steve Komphela in his new role as Amakhosi coach as his side fell behind to two calamitous defensive errors.

But George Lebese scored twice in the second half and Bernard Parker added another to put Chiefs ahead before Xulu put the ball in his own net and took the game to extra time.

But Xulu had a flying overhead kick to make it 4-3 and Pule Ektssen added a fifth on the final whistle to conclude a night of high drama.

United ’ s new coach Mandla Ncikazi made it clear from the start they intended to be cautious but his side found themselves ahead after eight minutes as Xulu and Ivan Bukenya, the new Chiefs centre-back pairing, got caught in a tangle and Kurt Lentjies was able to break free.

He raced down on goal and beat Reyaad Pieterse from a tight angle for an opening goal. Chiefs ’ first chance came after 27 minutes when Lebese found space on the left but shot wide.

The hosts were a lot closer three minutes before half time when Parker produced a fine save from Virgil Vries and David Zulu thundered the rebound onto the crossbar.

But then an innocuous stray pass led to a free corner for United in stoppage time at the end of the first half.

It was brilliantly converted by defender Thamsanqa Teyise on his debut after being signed on loan last week from SuperSport United, to give the visitors a two-goal lead at the break.

But the second half was barely two minutes old when Siboniso Gaxa provided a perfect cross for Lebese to power home a header.

Suddenly the momentum switched as Chiefs found new confidence and United panicked. Vries had to make a good save from Siphiwe Tshabalala soon after Parker banged home the equaliser six minutes after the restart.

They then grabbed the lead through Lebese. Chiefs should then have completed a remarkable comeback and gone 4-2 ahead in the 74th minute but Tshabalala had a horror miss in front of goal.

That came back to haunt Chiefs when Xulu headed back over his own goalkeeper Pieterse, who was away out of his goal, and the visitors were right back in it at 3-3 before Ektssen ’ s insurance goal in the 120th minute.