High-flying Maritzburg through to knockout semis
Maritzburg United (1) 2 Bloemfontein Celtic (0) 1
THE dream is on for Maritzburg United to land their maiden piece of silverware.
The Team of Choice continued with their fairy-tale run this season as they rolled past Bloemfontein Celtic by 2-1 in the Nedbank Cup quarter-final showdown at Harry Gwala Stadium to secure their place in to the semi-finals.
It will be second semi-final appearance this season after they they gallantly succumbed to Supersport United in the semi-final of the MTN 8.
The Team of Choice are currently third on the log, and in the knockout, they are two games away from history.
Amazulu were the last team from Kwazulu-natal to reach the final, in 2010, when they were thumped 3-0 by Wits.
Amazulu, Manning Rangers and African Wanderers are the only other teams in KZN to make appearances in SA’S premier cup final – the equivalent of England’s FA Cup – since it inception in 1971.
Usuthu have lost six Nedbank Cup finals while Wanderers were the runners-up on two occasions. Manning Rangers were beaten by Moroka Swallows in 2004.
Maritzburg United signaled their intention clearly when they broke the deadlock in the first minutes through Lebohang Maboe.
The Team of Choice looked settled at the back without the services of their experienced trio of Bevan Fransman, Brian Onyango and Pogiso Senoka.
Fransman and Senoka were suspended while Onyango was injured.
United boss Fadlu Davids went with the make shift defence of Rushine De Reuck, Bokang Tlhone and Siyanda Xulu.
Maritzburg should have doubled their lead after 25 minutes as Bandile Shandu hit the post following a well timed pass from Andrea Fileccia.
Richard Ofori pulled out a great save to deny Lucky Baloyi who unleashed a thunder-bolt from the range after 36 minutes.
From that resulted corner kick Ronald Pfumbidzai hit the post with his well-taken set
Hotto.
The game was played at swift pace from both sides. Maritzburg went to the interval leading by solitary strike from Maboe.
United commenced the second half on a frenetic pace with Shandu, Delion Mokea and Maboe causing all sort of problems for Celtic.
Mekoa was denied by Kabelo Dambe after 52 minutes as he tested the Botswana international from range but the keeper made a decent diving save.
Celtic coach Veselin Jelusic made three changes in his search for the equaliser in the second half.
He brought in Ndumiso Mabena, Jacky Motshegwa and Tshegofatso Mabaso in the place of Aphiwe Lubisi, Roggert Nyundu and Baloyi.
Motshengwa made an instant impact as he netted an eqauliser on the 77th minutes.
The equaliser re-energised United as Fileccia stucked the winner on the 80th minute, showing class and composure to beat Dambe on his far post.
United will know their semi final opponent today – The draw will be conducted in Cape Town. header after a piece by Deon