A late brace by Andrea Fileccia helped Maritzburg United come from behind to secure a 2-1 victory over Platinum Stars at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Friday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

Dikwena came out with more intent in the opening exchanges of the match and broke the deadlock after 13 minutes when Riyaad Norodien fired a superb free-kick into the back of the net from outside the box, 1-0.

Roger De Sa was forced into making an early substitution after Manti Mekoa picked up an injury and had to be replaced by Enocent Mkhabela.

The visitors thought they should’ve been awarded a penalty in the 27th minute after Gift Sithole pushed Fileccia inside the area, but the referee waved the game on.

Deolin Mekoa had a chance to level matters five minutes before the half time break, but the midfielder steered his free-kick straight into the hands of Stars goalkeeper Dino Visser.

Bandile Shandu should’ve equalised five minutes into the second half after latching on to a pass from Mohau Mokate, but the Dikwena shot-stopper was on hand to deny his effort from close range.

The Team of Choice almost levelled matters in the 50th minute, but Mekoa saw his effort cleared off the line by Sithole after good interplay by Maritzburg.

Visser nearly handed Maritzburg the leveller after he spilt pogiso Sanoka’s strike from distance on to the post before gathering the ball on his second attempt.

Maritzburg’s persistence paid off in the 89th minute when Fileccia got behind Dikwena’s defence to volley the ball into the net and make it 1-1.

However, the Team of Choice were awarded a penalty in stoppage time when Mokate was brought down in the area. Fileccia stepped up and made no mistake from the spot to secure the victory and all three points at the Harry Gwala Stadium.