Rusike goal pushes Maritzburg into the MTN8 semi-finals

MARITZBURG United produced a good early season performance to knock Mamelodi Sundowns out of the MTN8 competition with a narrow 1-0 win in Atteridgeville yesterday afternoon.

The goal that ensured Maritzburg’s place in the semi-final stage arrived just before the hour mark when Evans Rusike beat Sundowns goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene following a quick counter after the Brazilians committed men forward.

Sundowns dominated the possession stakes and attacking chances but Maritzburg stayed back for most of the game and relied more on catching their hosts on the break and one of their counter-attacks paid off with the winning goal.

Sundowns were the better team but their work was not perfect as they were often guilty of mistakes such as giving the ball away easily and they must improve for their PSL opener against SuperSport United next weekend.

After a cagey start to the game largely as a result of the hot weather conditions in Atteridgeville where both teams tested each other with no real opportunities, Maritzburg came closest to opening the scoring on the half hour mark.

After a good attacking move, Rusike delivered a telling cross from the right wing after he managed to get the better of Tebogo Langerman but Sheldon van Wyk could not connect with the ball.

Sundowns fans went wild after 36 minutes when coach Potso Mosimane sent new signings Oupa Manyisa and George Lebese to warm-up in preparations for their possible debuts.

Manyisa finally came on for his Brazilians debut after 72 minutes in place of ineffective Sibusiso Vilakazi and Lebese was thrown in eight minutes later but they could not influence the result of this match.

On the stroke of half time, unmarked Khama Billiat missed a good opportunity to give Sundowns the lead when his close range shot went away from the target from a good cross by Thapelo Morena.

Five minutes after restart, Sundowns were unlucky not to have taken the lead when Thabo Nthete’s close range header from a cross by Billiat ricocheted off the upright and the Maritzburg defence reacted in the nick of time to clear the danger.

Then, Maritzburg delivered what proved the winner in the 58th minute through Rusike after a good counter attack.

Despite being a goal down, Sundowns continued to increase their tempo and six minutes later Billiat connected with Morena’s cross inside the box but his header went wide of the target.

● MTN8 semi-final draw: Cape Town City v Bidvest Wits; SuperSport United v Maritzburg United — TimesLIVE