MARITZBURG FIGHT BACK TO STUN CITY
Maritzburg United scored four second-half goals as they came from behind to beat Cape Town City 4-2 in an enthralling Absa Premiership clash at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu on Tuesday evening.
A first win in nine league fixtures leading the Pietermaritzburg outfit up to 10th place on the log standings as City squandered yet another chance to move to the summit of the table.
Mohau Mokate scored twice for the visitors, with Pogiso Sanoka and Siphesihle Ndlovu bagging a goal apiece on a successful outing for the Team of Choice.
The Citizens, forced to play their ‘home’ fixture away from the Mother City due to the unavailability of a suitable playing venue, hit the front after 17 minutes.
Sibusiso Masina guiding his header attempt past Richard Ofori from a corner-kick, as the Cape side made themselves comfortable at their new home.
The early setback sparked the Team of Choice into life with the KwaZulu-Natal based side going close to an immediate response through Bevan Fransman. The defender’s attempt cleared off the line.
Mokate then saw his shot fly inches wide of Shu-Aib Walters’ goal just short of the half-hour mark, following a quick counter-attack.
City, though, held onto their narrow lead as the two teams headed for the tunnel at the interval, with Maritzburg left with a lot of work to do if they were to snap their winless run.
Fadlu Davids introduced Evans Rusike and Ndlovu following the interval as the visitors went in search of the equalizer.
The attacking change paid almost immediate dividends as the Team of Choice found the back of the net for the first time since mid-September. Deolin Mekoa setting up Sanoka as Maritzburg ended their goal drought.
Having not scored a goal in their last seven matches heading into the clash, Maritzburg didn’t have to wait long for their second of the night. Mokate rounding off a sweeping attack in the 65th minute.
The forward completed his brace three minutes later to double Maritzburg’s lead following a swift counter-attack, as the visitors threatened to inflict a heavy scoreline on their hosts.
City fought back late on and successfully halved the deficit as Lyle Lakay’s shot deflected off Fransman and into the back of the net.
Maritzburg, though, were not to be denied all three points as Ndlovu hammered home in the fourth minute of stoppage time to secure a valuable win for the KZN club.
Cape Town City (1) 2 (Masina 17′ Fransman OG 89′)
Maritzburg United (0) 4 (Sanoka 54′ Mokate 65′ 68′ Ndlovu 90+4′)
City: Walters; Johannes, Gumede, Fielies, Dove, Martin, Nodada, Matsi, Masina (Lakay 75′), Patosi (Ngoma 50′), Majoro ( Akosah-Bempah 75′).
United: Ofori; Sanoka, Xulu, Fransman, Shandu, Maboe, Weidlich (Ndlovu 46′), Makaringe, Atouba (Rusike 46′), Mokate (Onyango 76′), Mekoa.
