Maritzburg United defeated Baroka FC 3-0 in an Absa Premiership clash played at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Friday night. They led 1-0 at half-time.
The result rocketed United into fifth position on the log standings, with Baroka, despite the loss, still maintaining fourth spot.
United were quick off the mark and created an early opportunity when Lebohang Maboe played in Mohau Mokate, but the striker directed his header wide of goal.
After that initial scare, Baroka kept things tight and compact, and tried to reduce the space for their opponents. The visitors from Polokwane also fashioned an opportunity when Mpho Kgaswane shot at goal, but his attempt but was high and wide.
United, though, got the breakthrough on the half hour mark, taking a well-deserved 1-0 lead, with the goal coming via Evans Rusike.
Scoring opportunities, though, were few and far between, with each side having one more effort on goal just before the break. For Baroka, Mduduzi Mdatsane shot wide, and at the other end goalscorer Rusike had another chance, but this time he was off target.
But United then took control of proceedings in the second half. First, Rusike got his second on the night with a superbly-taken goal in the 53rd minute – and then in the 66th minute, Siphesihle Ndlovu struck to make it 3-0.
With United looking to increase their advantage, they brought on Belgian striker Andrea Fileccia in place of Mokate to add more impetus to their attack.
Baroka introduced Goodman Mosele to replace Robin Ngalande as they tried to get back into it late on, but it was all too little too late as United cruised to victory.
