Maritzburg United advanced to the Nedbank Cup final after claiming a 3-1 victory over a 10-man Mamelodi Sundowns in the semi-final at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Sunday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.
The Brazilians got off to a great start and broke the deadlock as early as the second minute when Percy Tau sent Gaston Sirino through on goal before he saw his shot was fumbled into the back of the net by United goalkeeper Richard Ofori.
Maritzburg had a chance to level matters nine minutes later, but Andrea Fileccia saw his effort sail over the target.
Bevan Fransman should’ve equalised in the 23rd minute from a free kick, but the defender directed his effort inches wide of the target.
Vilakazi nearly doubled Sundowns’ lead after 30 minutes but saw his effort cleared off the line by the Team of Choice.
Ofori came to his side’s rescue in the 41st minute when he managed to deny Vilakazi’s effort from close range after he was set up by Themba Zwane.
The Team of Choice eventually pulled a goal back two minutes before the break after Lebohang Maboe slotted the ball past Sundowns shot-stopper Denis Onyango to make it 1-1 heading into the half-time interval.
Sundowns were forced into making a substitution early into the second half when Anele Ngcongca sustained an injury and had to be replaced by Thapelo Morena.
Tau had an opportunity to hand his side the lead for the second time in the game, but the forward was unable to steer his long-range shot on goal as his effort sailed well over the target.
Zwane also should’ve extended Sundowns’ lead in the 58th minute following a mistake in defence by Rushine De Reuck, but the forward was denied by Ofori from close range.
Ofori once again came to his side’s rescue in the 69th minute when he produced an acrobatic save to deny Sirino’s powerful effort from 20 yards out.
Sundowns were then reduced to 10 men five minutes later when Sirino received his marching orders for his second bookable offence.
Maritzburg then took the lead for the first time in the match after 85 minutes of play as Mxolisi Kunene showed great strength inside the box to beat his marker before firing the ball past Onyango from close range, 2-1.
The home side then extended their lead even further in stoppage time when Fortune Makaringe found space inside the area before putting the ball into the net with just Onyango to beat, 3-1.
Maritzburg managed to keep their 3-1 lead over Sundowns to advance to the next round of the Nedbank Cup where they will meet Free State Stars in the final of the competition.
Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
