Sundowns Too Strong For Struggling Maritzburg

Absa Premiership
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 3-0 Maritzburg United
Date: 31 October 2015
Venue: Lucas Moripe Stadium
Mamelodi Sundowns proved to be too strong for Maritzburg United, as they romped to a 3-0 win at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.
Pitso Mosimane's men dictated play from the onset and they nearly went ahead in the sixth minute but a poor touch from Leonardo Castro let them down.
Sundowns broke the deadlock in the ninth minute when Teko Modise threaded a fine pass for Themba Zwane, who controlled well before firing into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
Clive Barker's side grew stronger after going behind, as the likes Kurt Lentjies and Khumbulani Banda started having a bigger influence on the game.
Sundowns ended the half on a stronger note, however Maritzburg had Brian Onyango to thank on numerous occasions, as he popped up with a few important interceptions and blocks in the first half.
It also proved to be a quiet evening for Sundowns goalkeeper, Wayne Sandilands, as the visitors struggled to create openings in the final third, while their efforts from distance failed to hit the target.
Sundowns nearly extended their lead shortly after the break when Mphahlele spotted Virgil Vries off his line but the defender's effort sailed just over the crossbar.
Vries came to Maritzburg's rescue in the 54th minute, as he pulled off a superb save to to deny Keagan Dolly from 12-yards out.
The Brazilians doubled their advantage in the 65th minute, as Tebogo Langerman collected a long pass, before clinically firing into the far corner from the edge of the area.
Vries continued to save Maritzburg as the second half went on, this time pulling off a good stop to deny Themba Zwane from a tight angle in the 79th minute.
Mosimane's side managed to see out the remaining stages with relative ease and extended their advantage in the 89th minute when Surprise Moriri showed great composure to slot into the top corner.
Here's how they lined up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Sandilands, Langerman, Arendse, Nthethe, Mphahlele, Dolly, Modise, Zwane, Kekana, Castro, Laffor
Maritzburg United: Vries, De Jongh, Mngonyama, Onyango, Zulu, Nale, Nene, Mekoa M, Banda, Lentjies, Hartog
