MINENHLE MKHIZE At Harry Gwala Stadium
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS leapfrogged Orlando Pirates at the top of the PSL standings yesterday as they brushed aside Maritzburg United 2-1 in an entertaining tussle at the Harry Gwala Stadium.
The Brazilians are now three points clear of the Buccaneers at the summit. They have acquired 43 points after 23 games, while the Sea Robbers are on 40 points after the same number of games.
Sundowns also broke their three-year barren run of results at the Harry Gwala Stadium while piling more misery on the home team. Maritzburg are still rooted at the foot of the table with 17 points after 24 games. They are three points behind the second from bottom Chippa United.
Sundowns ran Maritzburg ragged in the first half, as they netted two quick goals in the first 21 minutes of the game.
Emiliano Tade put Sundowns in the lead with a well executed strike and then Lebohang Maboe doubled the lead after 21 minutes.
Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango produced a double save 26 minutes into the match to deny Fortune Makaringe.
Maritzburg coach Eric Tinkler showed his intent of reducing the deficit when he sacrificed Rushine de Reuck and then introduced Yannick Zakri after 27 minutes.
Zakri made an instant impact. He almost scored within a minute after coming on, but Onyango was at his best. Mxolisi Kunene delivered a quality cross from the left side and Zakri did well to out jump Rivaldo Coetzee and directed his header on target.
Zakri went close again, but Onyango kept him at bay. Makaringe spotted a well timed run by Zakri who produced a great first touch to bring the ball down and then he went one on one with Onyango who closed the angle.
Thapelo Morena was the main culprit as he misjudged Makaringe’s diagonal pass, which allowed Zakri to get to the ball first.
It was a two-man show between Onyango and Zakri in the first half.
Sundowns were reduced to 10 men after Gaston Sirino was shown a red card for time wasting. The Uruguayan received two yellow cards in a space of a minute.
Makaringe finally got better of Onyango in the 85th minute. He profited from a scramble in the box. Maritzburg kept on probing, but the equaliser never came as they suffered defeat.