Sundowns the record champions
Brazilians set new points mark in taking title
Maritzburg United (1) 1 Sundowns (0) 1
THIS was a thriller although it was merely an exhibition match. The sad reality is that this Absa Premiership season could have done with a few more of these to provide some excitement.
It was almost inevitable that Steve Komphela would spoil the celebrations for Mamelodi Sundowns, but captain fantastic Alje Schut wouldn’t let him. The skipper’s powerful 90th-minute header earned the Brazilians a precious point and guaranteed that they can still brag about achieving a record number of points (65) to win the title since the Premier League was reduced to 16 teams.
Heinrich Isaacks had broken the deadlock for Maritzburg in the first half. Both teams showed intent to win, though Maritzburg United did not have much to play for and Sundowns had travelled here to accept the Absa Premiership trophy and the R10-million prize money.
The job had been done earlier in the week with a game to spare against cross-town rivals Super-Sport United at Loftus Stadium.
Following numerous missed chances by the Brazilians in the first half, with Anthony Laffor and Lebohang Mokoena the key culprits, Maritzburg caught the Sundowns defence napping. Having pressed forward in their attempts to break the deadlock, they opened up a gap at the back and Kurt Lentjies was sent through on goal and unselfishly laid the ball into the path of Heinrich Isaacks for him to grab the lead for the home side.
The 2-2 draw between these two sides earlier in the season in Sundowns’ back yard created an expectation that this would pro- duce end-to-end action, and there was no disappointment.
The pace didn’t drop in the second half and it was much of the same. Maritzburg wanted more goals to ensure their opponents celebrated their championship with the bitter taste of defeat, while Sundowns ran riot on occasion, but couldn’t equalise.
Tempers flared on the hour when referee Nasief Julius stole the limelight. Sundowns leftback Mzikayise Mashaba burst into the Maritzburg penalty area at speed and before he could pick out a teammate he was hacked down and immediately cried foul. Referee Julius, swamped by Downs players who wanted a spot kick awarded, did not budge.
Moments later, Mokoena raced into the box and watched as his cross didn’t meet its destination after it was deflected for a corner kick. The Brazilians again begged the match official to point to the spot kick, but their calls fell on deaf ears and Maritzburg remained in the lead. They could have added to their tally when Bhongolwethu Jayiya danced around the Downs defence minutes after the break, only for his shot to be blocked by Thabo Nthethe after the centreback had recovered from being turned inside out.
The lack of goals had little to do with Ngobeni lifting his game after being breached once. It was his counterpart, young Virgil Vries, who deserved all the praise. He’s taken over from Shu-Aib Walters between the sticks in the past couple of games and stood his ground, notably against Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup semifinal here last week.
His performance yesterday to deny a deadly Sundowns attacking line was memorable until Schut popped up in the box to equalise. This ensured Maritzburg remain the only side in the league the Brazilians failed to beat en route to the Premiership winners’ medals.
Sundowns showed the resilience that has won them the league and ended their six-year drought. The war was won in fine fashion, setting the tone for their journey into the Caf Champions League next year.