Throwback – Last minute strike sinks Maritzburg
While the Mamelodi Sundowns First XI have been caged up at home with the COVID19 quarantine in full effect, we look back at the last time we locked horns with Maritzburg United in the Absa Premiership. The encounter took place last year September, in a game that saw the boys secure all three points in a 2-1 home victory at Lucas Moripe stadium.
Maritzburg United who had to fight to stay in the top-flight last season were struggling for form not having registered a single win in the Absa Premiership and were looking for a result to kick-start their season. The Brazilians were looking for 3 points to ensure their title defence did not suffer any setbacks.
The game started brightly with hosts taking an early corner which was gathered by keeper Onyango. He showed his brilliant distribution skills starting a counter-attack, setting Meza off on a marauding run into the opposition’s box. A slick cut back saw Meza provide a low pass for Zwane who came charging into the box but saw his effort sail just wide of the post.
Another corner for the hosts allowed Claasen to put a ball in the Brazilians box finding Siyanda Xulu at the far post, who headed the ball on target, forcing a crucial save from shot-stopper Onyango. A counter-attacking move started by Morena showed his blistering pace along the touchline allowed Meza to pressurise the opposition keeper Ofori, nearly resulting in the first goal, but the shot went wide.
A clearance from Madisha to Zwane who headed the ball to Vilakazi in midfield, allowed him to loft a sublime through ball to Sirino at the edge of the box. Sirino was brilliantly positioned as he made his way into the box, he switched the ball onto his right foot and made no mistake as he scored, putting the ball away in the for Themba Zwane who came charging into the box, but saw his effort sail just wide of the post.
Another corner for the hosts allowed Claasen to put a ball in the Brazilians box finding Siyanda Xulu at the far post, who headed the ball on target, forcing a crucial save from shot-stopper Onyango. A counter-attacking move started by Morena showed his blistering pace along the touchline allowed Meza to pressurise the opposition keeper Ofori, nearly resulting in the first goal, but the shot went wide.
A clearance from Madisha to Zwane who headed the ball to Vilakazi in midfield, allowed him to loft a sublime through ball to Sirino at the edge of the box. Sirino was brilliantly positioned as he made his way into the box, he switched the ball onto his right foot and made no mistake as he scored, putting the ball away in the bottom right corner for the opening goal.
The Brazilians now had the upper hand, when a counterattack started by Keeper Onyango from his box found Meza in an onside position, as he came streaming into the box only to be thwarted by the opposing keeper Ofori at the last minute.
A corner from Jeremy Brockie found ex Brazilians player Siyanda Xulu at the far post who beat Onyango with a headed effort to level the score at 1-1, allowing Maritzburg United back into the game. As the play continued with either team trying to find the winning goal, Langerman whipped a beautiful ball into the box that was unable to find anyone to put it away.
In the dying minutes of the game when it looked like both teams would have to settle for a draw Lakay received a ball in the box turned and buried the ball in the top left corner, to make sure the Brazilians took all three points with a stoppage-time strike. Heartbreak for the opposition and a sweet victory for the boys, which saw them continue their unbeaten run in the league.
