Diminutive Venezuelan international Jose Torrealba came on for Mamelodi Sundowns as a second-half substitute and scored the 54th-minute winning goal in their 2-1 victory over Maritzburg United at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Torrealba replaced a sluggish, rusty Peter Ndlovu, renowned as the ”Bulawayo Express” but whose form was more akin to a goods train as he squandered three gilt-edged first-half opportunities.
And with the diminutive Venezuelan invigorating the Brazilians, Sundowns ultimately ran out comfortable winners and eased closer to log leaders Silver Stars as they showed their determination to retain the Premier Soccer League title.
But it was far from smooth sailing for Sundowns in the first half, with Maritzburg taking a stunning lead in the 14th minute through a sensational, 23m free kick from Steve Lekoelea that struck the underneath of the crossbar, crossed the goal line and then ricocheted back into play.
Despite Sundowns’ vehement protests, TV replays afterwards confirmed the correctness of the decision to award the goal.
And while dominating possession, Sundowns huffed and puffed for much of the opening period and only belatedly equalised in the 42nd minute when a floating cross from Lerato Chabangu was headed into the net by an eager Benson Mhlongo at the far post.
”I’m delighted by the result,” said Sundowns coach Gordon Igesund, ”because it’s not easy fighting back from a goal deficit in an away fixture. But I’m less than happy by a number of aspects of our play — and I’ll be looking for an improvement before the weekend Telkom Knockout semifinal against Ajax Cape Town.”
Despite a typically dynamo-like display from Godfrey Sapula, Sundowns missed the calculating control of suspended Ezrom Nyandoro in midfield and were never able to subdue a willing, if limited, United.
The Brazilians, however, have now moved to within four points of log leaders Silver Stars with a game in hand and look as though they could well be the team to beat in this season’s championship race. — Sapa