Maritzburg United began their promotion/relegation play-off journey with a 2-0 win over Casric Stars on Wednesday night.
Zambian striker Friday Samu replaced the suspended Amadou Soukouna for the home, while Casric recalled Given Thibedi and Mpho Khabane after the loss to Cape Town Spurs over the weekend.
Maritzburg were eager to register the opener and were quite close through a one-on-one from Genino Palace from a ball in-behind, but he couldn't get the better of goalkeeper Kgomotso Baloyi.
The Team of Choice carved open again a little later when a ball in the channels saw Samu run ahead of the last man before firing into the side-netting from a tight angle.
Stars did come in their own following an underwhelming start and their entries in the danger area forced Maritzburg shot-stopper Renaldo Leaner to clear the lines.
However, it was the host who went ahead three minutes to the half-hour mark after Rowan Human got hold of a loose ball outside the area and nestled into the bottom-corner.
Casric were unable to get a quick reply and trailed by two goals over five minutes to halftime as an assist from Karim Kimvuidi saw Human take aim to complete his brace.
Abbey Seseane replaced Khabane following the interval before Thibedi needed to make way for Sipho Simon Zwane as Casric made a double substitution.
The Team of Choice refused to take the foot of the accelerator and were keen to add to their comfortable tally with Stars truly on the back-foot.
Coach Fadlu Davids did put on a fresh set of legs up top minutes from the resumption where Ghanaian Kwame Peprah slotted in for Samu.
Maritzburg remained in control as the end approached and could've actually had a third goal through a sweetly taken effort by Brandon Theron from a smart angle, but he hit the woodwork.
The Team of Choice didn't add to their tally but had already done enough to secure the win and top spot in the mini play-off table.
Confirmed line-ups:
Maritzburg United: Leaner, De Goede, Theron, Njoti, Graham, Cross, Makume, Samu, Palace, Human, KimvuidiSubs: Langa, Ritchie, Peprah, Moloisane, Meza, Tlolane, Bhengu, Zuma, Jooste
Casric Stars: Baloyi, Tshoba, Rammala, Gum, Mtshweni, Thloloe, Thibedi, Rakwena, Khabane, Mojela, Mosadi
Subs: Mpakumpaku, Abubakar, Zwane, Mathonis, Taukobang, Semache, Milazi, Khubheka, Sesane
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