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Cape Town - Although they had many chances, Baroka
succumbed to a 1-0 loss at the hands of Maritzburg United in the Absa
Premiership on Sunday afternoon.
In the wake of the defeat, Kgoloko Thobejane's side now occupy the 12th spot with 11 points after 12 league matches.
The second half saw the visitors grabbing a winner through Sheldon Van Wyk's goal in the second stanza.
Despite the anticipation for a thrilling encounter, there were no chances from either side in the first 10 minutes, but the hosts were the ones who showed an intention.
Bakgaga Ba Mphalele kept pushing to find an opener as Albert Mothupa delivered a great cross in search of Soso Rethabile, but the latter's shot went wide right of goalkeeper Bongani Mpandle's posts.
With five minutes to go to the interval, Evans Rusike tried to beat keeper Oscarine Masuluke from a distance, yet he saw his effort going wide, inches from the left post.
Kgoloko Thobejane's side continued to pile pressure on the Team of Choice, but they were not clinical in front of goal and it was 0-0 at half time.
In the 57th minute, the hosts kept the visitors under enormous pressure which saw Bandile Shandu clearing a header on the line.
Just after making his entry into the field, Van Wyk made an immediate impact in the 68th minute when he scored from close range after Masuluke made an initial save right in front of Shandu.
Three minutes later, the hosts nearly pulled one back when Rethabile produced a brilliant header which was saved from close range by Mpandle.
In the dying minutes of the contest, the Premier Soccer League newcomers tried all they could, but United stood their ground defensively claiming the full three points.
The win elevates Fadlu Davids' side to the ninth spot with 14 points from their matches thus far.
