Sundowns thump Maritzburg

Following their goalless draw to Kaizer Chiefs on Tuesday, there were fears that the Brazilians’ troubles up-front would continue. However, such speculation was dispelled when they took the lead four minutes in.

Maritzburg’s defence was left gaping at the back, which allowed for Elias Pelembe to supply a ball into the box towards Katlego Mphela, who made no error by turning on the ball and striking the back of the net.

Mphela should have secured his brace for the evening when a perfect cross was supplied to him across the face of goal by Anthony Laffor, but the Bafana Bafana striker failed to tap it in from close range.

Jabulani Shongwe continued Sundowns’ dominance in the play when he shot from range, ten minutes before the break, but it failed to hit the target.

In the 65th minute the scoreline did turn to 2-0 in favour of the visitors, when Teko Modise won the ball inside his own half and launched it towards Shongwe. The midfielder did well to run inside the box, fend off Michael Morton, and strike the ball into the back of Walters’ net.

A chance then fell to the substitute Nyasha Mushekwi in the 77th minute when he beat his defender to shoot at goal, but there was not enough power on the end of it to trouble Walters.

Laffor followed it up with an even more half-hearted attempt, but the Liberian made up for that mistake seven minutes from time when he supplied a cross to Mushekwi, who tapped in an effort from two-yards out.