MinenPIETERMARITZBURG – Maritzburg United coach Eric Tinkler has insisted that midfield maestro Keagan Buchanan "is fine" after he was forced off in the second half of their game against Stellenbosch FC on Friday night.
The Team of Choice humbled Stellenbosch FC 3-0 in their Absa Premiership tussle at Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg.
Bongokuhle Hlongwane produced a man-of-the-match performance, scoring a brace while Tebogo Tlolane added the other on a night in which United moved into the top four in the league.
But, Buchanan's injury put a dampener on United's celebrations. The former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder has recently returned from injury, and his form has been instrumental United's high flying season. Tinkler's men have won their last three games in the league, and trail third-place Orlando Pirates by three points.
"It was more just a hip," Tinkler said when allaying fears of Buchanan's injury. "He hurt his hip and, luckily, it is not his knee. I thought it is his knee but it is a hip.
Maritzburg turned on the style last night against Stellie and Tinkler was over the moon with his side's display.
"I thought, we were outstanding. It was an absolutely outstanding performance from us all round," the coach said about their performance.
"Defensively we were very good. Offensively very good. Tonight, very disciplined in terms of our structure. I'm very proud of the performance of the team. I think they deserved the three points. In the first half, we should have come in 2-0 up. I think, throughout the game, [goalkeeper] Richard [Ofori] had to make two crucial saves but I think overall we really dominated.
"Potentially, we could have won this 5 or 6-0 with the chances that we had." Tinkler said.