Maritzburg give themselves lifeline in relegation battle

The occasion was about Mamelodi Sundowns officially crowned as DStv Premiership champions but the focus was more on their opponents Maritzburg United.

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The KwaZulu-Natal side needed the result more that Sundowns as it meant survival from relegation for them – or at least that they live to fight another day.

And getting a 1-1 draw was a result both sides will take. Sundonws would not have wanted to celebrate their seventh consecutive league trophy on the back of a loss. And a loss for Maritzburg would have meant it’s National First Division football for them next season.

But now Maritzburg will watch the finals league games at the weekend hoping that both their relegation rivals, Chippa United and Marumo Gallants lose so they can survive.

If one of them loses, and the other draws or wins, it will still give Maritzburg breathing space as they will go to the promotion/relegation playoffs against Cape Town Spurs and Casric Stars from the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

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Sundowns dominated the early stages of the game, perhaps as expected. But Maritzburg gradually got into it and launched a few attacks that looked promising.

Amadou Soukouna forced Denis Onyango into a great save from close range with a left footed shot.

The Frenchman would have thought he had opened the scoring in the 21st minute when he rounded off Onyango. He then took a shot towards goal but Mosa Lebusa came sliding and swept the ball away for a corner.

And just as Maritzburg thought they could be first to score, Sundowns went on attack and it ended with Surprise Ralani pushing the ball into the back of the net in the 24th minute.

Maritzburg stared the second half on the front foot and created a few promising chances but lacked the finishing.

Maritzburg’s persistent attacking was finally rewarded with just over 15 minutes to the end when they finally got the equaliser.

Second half substitute Jose Ali Meza finished off a counter attack move with a good close range finish to give the visitors hope of survival going to the last games of the season this Saturday.