Maritzburg stun Sundowns

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Sunday Apr 22, 2018. 17:13

As a result, the Team of Choice reached the final, while the Brazilians are eliminated from the tournament.

The match got off to a lively start and it was Sundowns, who grabbed an early goal two minutes into game.

Percy Tau set-up Gaston Sirino, who beat Maritzburg goalkeeper Richard Ofori with a low shot to make it 1-0 to Sundowns.

Maritzburg were struggling to cope with Sundowns' pace and it should have been 2-0 in the 41st minute.

Themba Zwane's pass found Sibusiso Vilakazi and the latter forced Ofori into a fine diving save.

Maritzburg the pushed forward in search of the equalizing goal and they managed to level matters just before the break.

Fortune Makaringe and Lebohang Maboe combined on the edge of the Sundowns box, and the latter scored with a low shot.

Maritzburg and Sundowns were locked at 1-1 at the interval.

Sundowns suffered a blow in the second-half Sirino was sent off after receiving his second yellow half and the visitors were reduced to 10 men.

Maritzburg took advantage of their numerical advantage as Mxolisi Kunene, who beat Sundowns keeper Denis Onyango with a low shot in the 86th minute.

The hosts were running rampant and they sealed their 3-1 win when Maritzburg midfielder Makaringe scored with a low shot.

Maritzburg then held on to their lead and they ran out 3-1 winners on the day.

Maritzburg (1) 3 (Maboe 44', Kunene 86', Makaringe 90'+1)
Sundowns (1) 1 (Sirino 2')

Maritzburg: Ofori, Sanoka, Fransman, De Reuck, Xulu, Makaringe, Shandu, Maboe, Ndlovu, Fileccia (Mokate 89'), Mekoa, (Kunene 77').

Sundowns: Onyango, Ngcongca (Morena 57'), Langerman, Arendse, Nascimento, Mabunda, Sirino, Manyisa, Vilakazi (Makgalwa 82'), Zwane, Tau (Brockie 89').