Themba Zwane of Mamelodi Sundowns FC is challenged by Nazeer Allie of Maritzburg United during the Absa Premiership 2018/19 match between Maritzburg United and Mamelodi Sundowns at the Harry Gwala Stadium, KwaZulu Natal on 12 September 2019 ©Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix
by
Staff Reporter
Tuesday Mar 12, 2019. 21:35
Mamelodi Sundowns have returned to the summit of the Absa Premiership standings with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Maritzburg United at Harry Gwala Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Goals from Emiliano Tade and Lebohang Maboe fired the Brazilians three points clear atop the log standings in a game which they ended with 10-men. Gaston Sirino received his marching orders on the hour mark following a second bookable offence.
Tade opened the scoring as early as the fifth minute. The Argentine ran onto a neat back-heel from Maboe before firing a low shot past the outstretched Richard Ofori in the Maritzburg goal.
Maboe turned scorer in the 21st minute to double the visitors lead. The forward left with the easiest of finishes following a defence splitting-run by Sirino who teed up the former Team of Choice attacker.
The hosts ended the half the strongest of the two teams and were only denied a goal by the exploits of Denis Onyango. The Uganda international showcased superb reflexes to deny Fortune Makaringe and Yannick Zarki in quick succession as Sundowns carried a healthy lead into the break.
Sundowns suffered a major blow 15 minutes into the second half as Sirino saw red following a second bookable offence. Victor Gomes booked the Uruguayan for time-wasting before brandishing red seconds later following a gesture from the Sundowns attacker.
Makaringe duly pulled a goal back for the hosts after Themba Zwane had squandered a glorious chance to put the game to bed, but the goal proved a mere consolation for the Team of Choice who's relegation fears deepen.
Maritzburg United (0) 1 (Makaringe 83')
Mamelodi sundowns (2) 2 (Tade 5' Maboe 21')
Maritzburg United: Ofori; Kunene, Xulu, Allie, Sanoka, Makaringe, Matsi (Mekoa 56'), Kutumela (Moseamedi 69'), Kateregga, De Reuck (Zakri 27'), Shandu.
Mamelodi Sundowns: Onyango; Langerman, Nascimento, Coetzee, Morena, Mabunda, Kekana, Zwane (Mahlambi 84'), Sirino, Tade (Lakay 64'), Maboe (Arendse
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