SPORT: Maritzburg spoils Downs’s party
Coach Pitso Mosimane also lashed out at critics and his haters following the draw.
A late goal from Maritzburg United denied Downs a big win at the Harry Gwala stadium on Wednesday evening.
This is the second time that Maritzburg United have denied Sundowns a win, having already eliminated the Tshwane giants on Sunday in the Nedbank cup semi-final.
Downs showed their intent from the first whistle as Percy Tau and Khama Billiat caused havoc in the United half. Six minutes in, Sundowns were one up – thanks to a Themba Zwane finish.
Returning Captain Hlompho Kekana bossed the midfield with much assistance from Oupa Manyisa and Tiyani Mabunda.
Maritzburg finally got their rhythm going and 32 minutes in, Andrea Fileccia scored the equalizer for the KZN side.
He capitalised on a Denis Onyango mistake.
The second half unsurprisingly saw Downs dominate as they fought for their second goal.
In the 75th minute, Downs got the lead when defender Teboho Langerman struck a thunderous shot into the top corner.
Following the goal, Sundowns had a few chances to put the game beyond reach, but their finishing let them down.
In the 87th minute, United showed why they are a ‘bogey’ team for the Brazilians.
A well-played one, two in the Downs area saw Maritzburg grab the well-deserved equaliser.
Lebohang Maboe calmly slotted the ball past Onyango to set the stadium alight.
It's all over from the Harry Gwala Stadium, we share the spoils with a resilient United outfit, on to the next game Masandawana! #Sundowns #DownsLive #AbsaPrem pic.twitter.com/f0AzwFVCC0
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) April 25, 2018
A draw takes Downs to 56 points, while United remain third on 43 points and are on course to qualify for the CAF Confederations Cup.
Downs needed a win to put themselves within touching distance of the Absa Premiership. Had they won their game on Wednesday, they would have ultimately won the title due to their superior goal difference over their nearest rivals Orlando Pirates.
Pirates, on the other hand, thrashed Bidvest Wits 4-0 at an empty Orlando Stadium to narrow the gap to four points, with two games to play this season.
Coach Pitso Mosimane was content with a draw, knowing that a win on Saturday would see his side claiming yet another title.
He lashed out at the Supersport TV commentators during his post-match conference.
“Fadlu Davids (Maritzburg coach) is my candidate coach for coach of the year,” he said.
Mosimane was stating the fact that Farouk Khan was not supposed to say on air, who was going to win coach of the season, given that he’s on the judging panel.
“They don’t want me to win it, but I can give it to him [Davids] so they don’t have to punt it. Most especially Farouk Khan, he’s conflicted, he’s on the panel, so why is he speaking about it? That’s my opinion and I have a right to say it. He doesn’t have to respond, pull the clip when he and Robert (Marawa) was speaking about it, it’s where you’ve got it in your archives.”
Mosimane also sent his greetings to the “haters”.
We keep going Masandawana, the boys return home for our next clash! Let’s get behind them!#Sundowns pic.twitter.com/xzYkN19pjB
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) April 26, 2018
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