Nedbank Cup Semi-finals
Full Time: Maritzburg United 3-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 17 April 2018
Venue: Harry Gwala stadium
Maritzburg United came from behind, after conceding a goal after just 70 seconds, to beat Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 in a Nedbank Cup semi-final at the Harry Gwala stadium on Sunday.
It was the best possible start for the Brazilians who opened the scoring in the second minute when Percy Tau played Gaston Sirino through on goal and he saw his low 16-yard shot fumbled into the net by the Maritzburg goalkeeper, 1-0.
The defence of both teams tightened up after that and the next effort on goal only came in the 23rd minute when Maritzburg's Bevan Fransman fired a 24-yard free-kick inches over the target.
On the half hour mark Sibusiso Vilakazi ventured into the Maritzburg box from the left and squared for Tau, but he saw his close-range effort blocked on the line by a defender.
In the 41st minute Zwane sent Vilakazi through on goal with a pin-point defence-splitting pass, but the latter saw his 16-yard shot spectacularly saved by Richard Ofori.
Two minutes later Maritzburg managed to equalise when Lebohang Maboe picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box and dully fired a low shot into the corner of the net to make it 1-1 at half time.
It was a slow start to the second half with the first scoring opportunity coming in the 58th minute when a mistake in defence by Rushine De Reuck allowed Themba Zwane to drive into the box, but he was denied by Ofori in a one-on-one.
Ten minutes later Sirino fashioned some space for himself 20-yards out, but his thunderous effort was brilliantly tipped over the crossbar by the Maritzburg keeper.
In the 74th minute Sundowns suffered a major set-back when they were reduced to ten men after Sirino received a second yellow card in a matter of minutes to leave his side with ten men.
Maritzburg pushed forward after that and found the winning goal in the 85th minute courtesy of substitute Mxolisi Kunene – the young attacker showed great strength inside the box before turning a defender and firing a home from eight-yards out, 2-1.
The icing on the cake for Maritzburg was their third goal in the 91st minute when Fortune Makaringe was sent through on goal and he made no mistake with just the keeper to beat, 3-1.
Here is how they line up.
Maritzburg: 31 Ofori, 23 De Reuck, 16 Fransman, 25 Xulu, 3 Sanoka, 11 Makaringe, 15 Maboe, 28 Mekoa (36 Kunene 71'), 26 Shandu, 8 Ndlovu (6 Thlone 95'), 9 Fileccia (22 Mokate 89').
Subs: 1 Mpandle, 22 Mokate, 14 Matima, 36 Kunene, 10 Atouba, 12 Van Wyk, 6 Thlone.
Sundowns: 14 Onyango, 4 Langerman, 6 Arendse, 16 Nascimento, 20 Ngcongca (27 Morena 55'), 26 Sirino, 13 Mabunda, 7 Manyisa, 18 Zwane, 11 Vilakazi (35 Makgalwa 82'), 22 Tau (19 Brockie 89').
Subs: 31 Brimah, 32 Madisha, 27 Morena, 38 Zulu, 19 Brockie, 19 Brockie, 28 Laffor, 35 Makgalwa.
