Brazilians show no mercy to Team of Choice
at Harry Gwala Stadium MAMELODI Sundowns did not exactly hang, draw and quarter Maritzburg United but their clinically dismissive performance highlighted the gulf between the teams.
When they needed to, the Brazilians stepped up to gears the splutttering Maritzburg engine could not even dream of engaging.
The final result did not reflect how dominant the visitors were. Sundowns are now sitting pretty with 36 points from 16 matches safe in the knowledge that Wits cannot overhaul them today.
Maritzburg are still in the relegation quagmire despite Jomo Cosmos’ 2-1 loss to Polokwane City yesterday.
With last night’s match being Maritzburg’s first after midfielder Mondli Cele’s tragic passing, the hosts wore white T-shirts with Cele’s No 24 emblazoned on the back.
A moment’s silence was observed, especially by Sundowns’ fans.
That is where Sundowns’ respect ended for Maritzburg as they dominated the first half. They were not slick but with Mpumalanga Black Aces and Bidvest Wits breathing down their necks, grinding out results has to be the order of business.
Having witnessed how Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates have come unstuck by letting Maritzburg dictate the early pace, coach Pitso Mosimane’s side drew a line in the sand as soon as Philani Zulu’s flick-on from a Mphakamiseni Nene throwin went narrowly wide in the eighth minute. Teko Modise stamped his authority in the following 10 minutes when his 11th minute free kick cannoned off the crossbar.
His 18th minute long-range pile-driver was well saved by Glenn Verbauwhede but the gauntlet had been laid.
Clearly missing Cele’s incisive pace, the Team of Choice tried to catch Sundowns on the counter.
What Sundowns lacked in pace with Deolin Mekoa and Evans Rusike trying their level best, they made up for with defensive intelligence. They didn’t allow Maritzburg to have a clear shot at goalkeeper Denis Onyango.
With the incessant pressure that Sundowns were applying, they cracked in the 36th minute when Hlompho Kekana tapped in a Leonardo Castro cross.
Khama Billiat became the problem child as his pace kept testing Maritzburg’s defensive honesty.
After fluffing two first-half chances, the football gods and his finishing finally smiled on him when he drilled a low shot past
A moment’s silence was observed, especially by Sundowns’ fans
Verbauwhede in the 49th minute. Despite losing Bongani Zungu to an injury in the 42nd minute, the second goal summed up how Sundowns bossed Maritzburg in the middle.
When an enforcer like Kekana roams forward with impunity, the white flag had been raised. The ease at which Kekana deftly tucked in his second goal in the 64th minute was the solar-plexus punch.
Three defenders were beaten as the lanky midfielder swanned past them like a ballerina.
While they were clearly second best, Maritzburg endeavoured and they were rewarded by a Rusike goal in the 82nd minute. Rusike had missed an attempt three minutes earlier, which was one of the few times where Onyango was required to dive. Brian Onyango sneaked one past Denis in referee’s optional time but the horse had long bolted.