Battered Tau rescues Downs
Roughed-up star still finds winner
It was that man again, Percy Tau, who bailed Mamelodi Sundowns out in their 1-0 victory over Maritzburg United last night.
Tau grabbed the winner in the 64th minute against a stubborn opposition to win their second match at home and remain at the summit of the Absa Premiership, five points clear of second-placed Orlando Pirates.
Like a battle-scarred warrior, Tau delivered the goods despite being kicked and beaten during the match.
The Team of Choice played as if they had the wind at their backs – with Evans Rusike, Lebohang Maboe and Fortune Makaringe giving the home side the most trouble.
Tau was once again the livewire for the Brazilians in the open half-hour. The only way the opposition defence could stop him was to hack him with rough tackles.
Besides the rough treatment on Tau, the visitors had come to play. They had more chances to take the lead, with Maboe and Rusike each taking turns to test goalkeeper Denis Onyango.
Maritzburg began to isolate Tau, which meant that Sibusiso Vilakazi, Oupa Manyisa and Themba Zwane were required to come to the party.
Similar to Sundowns’ previous game against Golden Arrows when they won 1-0, an early goal was key in setting the tone for the encounter.
Maritzburg were better prepared to avoid an early goal, and this time around Sundowns had to work harder for the points.
Pitso Mosimane would be forgiven for thinking that the opposition would come out defensive. But the opposite is what they got from Maritzburg.
For the decisive goal though, Tau showed his class after shuffling past two defenders to pass the ball into the net. Hlompho Kekana slipped the through-ball to Tau inside the box and the little magician did the rest.
While the early first-half goal did not materialise perhaps due to the unexpected opposition formation, the goal finally came, albeit in the second half.
In the end it was a bruising encounter for Sundowns players against the overzealous visitors. Vikalazi, Zwane and Thapelo Morena were all substituted due to picking up knocks during the clash.
At Goble Park, Free State Stars beat SuperSport United 1-0, thanks to a goal from Siphelele Mthembu.