Maritzburg foil Downs title hopes
Mamelodi Sundowns . . . . . . (0)2 Maritzburg United . . . . . . . . (1)2 PITSO Mosimane paced up and down more than usual in this encounter against Maritzburg United at the Lucas Moripe Stadium last night.
Mosimane, who prefers to sit alongside his two assistants, Rhulani Mokoena and Manqoba Mngqithi, while they analyse their team’s performance in the dugout, avoided his chair in this one. It was too hot.
Bidvest Wits had set fire to it just four minutes into their match against Polokwane City at Bidvest Stadium.
James Keen had found the back of the net for the Braamfontein outfit. It meant that Wits were in pole position to win the league title with a game to go to season’s end.
The reigning Caf African Coach of the Year knew that if Downs didn’t up their game, they would surrender their league title to the Clever Boys.
He bellowed and pleaded with his side to switch on, especially in the attacking third. Jingles was hearing the alarm bells.
His Maritzburg United counterpart, Fadlu Davids, paced his dugout too. But he cut a much calmer figure, gesturing to his side to hold their defense when they were under attack.
The central defensive pairing of Brian Onyango and Bevan Fransman could not be infiltrated. Their towering structures and immaculate clearances made it difficult for Percy Tau, Khama Billiat, Themba Zwane and Teko Modise to breathe up front.
The Team of Choice were in full command.
Onyango netted home a brilliant header just 15 minutes before the break, following a superb cross from a corner from Deolin Mekoa. It was a punch to Sundowns’ gut.
In the second half, Wits increased their lead against Rise and Shine through Daine Klate’s finish. They were playing like champions. Sundowns sensed that the title was already out of their hands.
The visiting side took advantage. Evans Rusike produced a sole effort from the half way line to beat Kennedy Mweene between the sticks.
Yannick Zakri scored for Sundowns just two minutes before fulltime, with Percy Tau finding an equaliser in the last minute of added time.
Too little too late.