Sundowns move to top of league table

Emiliano Tade scored early and Lebohang Maboe netted against his old club as 10-man Mamelodi Sundowns went top of the Premier Soccer League table again on Tuesday, winning their catch up game against Maritzburg United to open up a three point lead.

The 2-1 victory at the Harry Gwala Stadium means Mamelodi Sundowns are now comfortably placed to retain their title, sitting above Orlando Pirates and the rest of the chasing pack.

Fortune Makaringe scored one back for Maritzburg with eight minutes to go to set up a grandstand finish but Sundowns held out despite playing the last 30 minutes with one man short after Gaston Sirino was sent off.

Maboe set Tade up for the opener after only five minutes as he struck powerfully from the edge of the area with the defenders backing off.

Sirino beat the offside trap to set up the second goal in the 21st minute, running onto a ball over the top from skipper Hlompho Kekana before hitting the ball square for Maboe to score.

It meant Maritzburg United had to make a change to try and get back into the game and coach Eric Tinkler took off defender Rushine de Reuck to throw on Yannick Zakri just minutes later.

After the break, Maritzburg continued their effort, adding Deolin Mekoa to their attack and seeing Makaringe’s effort well saved by Dennis Onyango just on the hour mark.

Then Sirino got sent off – picking up a yellow card for delaying play at a throw in and then making a gesture to referee Victor Gomes, who took offence, produced a second yellow and sent the Uruguayan for an early shower.