Maritzburg send 10-man Downs crashing
Another fantastic episode in Maritzburg United’s dream season played out yesterday afternoon at the Harry Gwala Stadium in KwaZulu-Natal after beating a 10-man Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 to reach the Nedbank Cup final, where Luc Eymael’s Free State Stars await them in the May 19 final in the Mother City.
Substitute Mxolisi Kunene scored United’s second goal five minutes from time, setting up a nervy finish.
However, Man-of-the-Match Fortunate Makaringe struck in stoppage-time to guarantee Maritzburg a place in the final.
Sundowns stormed into the lead before some supporters could even find their seats at the Harry Gwala Stadium.
Gaston Sirino opened the scoring in the second minute of his debut to give the Brazilians a dream start.
Maritzburg’s Ghanaian goalkeeper Richard Ofori was unable to hold on to the Sundowns striker’s drive and spilled the ball into his own net.
The Team of Choice pressed for an equaliser and they got their reward two minutes before the break when Lebohang Maboe fired past goalkeeper Denis Onyango.
However, it was a disappointing afternoon for veteran defender Anele Ngcongca – who had just returned after a lengthy lay-off.
He had to be stretchered off 10 minutes after the restart. It is believed that an ankle fracture brought the former Bafana Bafana rightback’s afternoon to a premature end.
The match was characterised by a number of vicious challenges, prompting referee Victor Hlungwane to dish out six yellow cards.
Tiyani Mabunda, Deolin Mekoa, Bevan Fransman, Ricardo Nascimento, Rushine de Reuckem and Sirino all went into Hlungwane’s book.
Uruguayan international Sirino was then sent off late in the second half after picking up a second yellow card, resulting in an early shower for the midfield maestro.
Pitso Mosimane did make a change, bringing in the likes of striker Jeremy Brockie – who has two winner’s medals during his time at SuperSport United – but the New Zealander had little time to make any significant contribution.