Mamelodi Sundowns were unable to set a new points record in the DStv Premiership after a 1-1 draw against Maritzburg United, who gave their survival hopes a boost.
DStv Premiership
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 1-1 Maritzburg United
Date: 16 May 2023
Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Sundowns changed the whole line-up following their goalless draw against Wydad Casablanca in the CAF Champions League semi-final first-leg, except for Neo Maema, who is suspended for the second leg.
The Brazilians' new line-up included the likes of Rivaldo Coetzee, who made only his second start of the season, while 16-year old Siyabonga Mabena made his first start.
Maritzburg put Sundowns under pressure in the opening exchanges and Amadou Soukouna had a chance to give them the lead on 16 minutes with a low drive in the box that produced a sharp save from goalkeeper Denis Onyango.
However, Sundowns showed their quality in their first attempt at goal on 24 minutes after Bradley Ralani broke the deadlock with a delightful chip over shot-stopper Renaldo Leaner after a lovely passage of play.
Rulani Mokwena's charges were in control of the game in the latter phase of the first stanza but neither side could get their rhythm to pose danger in front of goal and the hosts were happy to take a narrow lead to the break.
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The Team of Choice went agonisingly close to pulling level two minutes after the halftime break when Bonginkosi Makume sent a header onto the crossbar before Moegamad de Goede fired wide from the rebound.
Learner kept Maritzburg in the game just before the hour mark, as he produced a vital stop in a one-on-one to deny Gaston Sirino while Maitzburg went close at the other end when Brandon Theron picked out Palace, who blazed over from close range.
Coach Rulani Mokwena responded with a double change for the final 30 minutes, as the young Mabena and Marcelo Allende made way for Cassius Mailula and Sphelele Mkhulise while Maritzburg threw on former Sundowns attacker Jose Ali Meza minutes later.
The change paid off for the Team of Choice, who were back on level terms on 70 minutes when a swift counter-attack ended with Meza turning home a low cross from Tumelo Njoti.
Sundowns pushed for a winning goal in the latter stages but Maritzburg defended deep and were able to see out the rest of the game to move one point above the relegation zone.
The Brazilians finished the season with 70 points, one point shy of 71 which would have been a new record.
Here's how they lined up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: 14. D.Onyango, 4. Kekana, 41. Mashego, 5. Lebusa, 40. Coetzee, 8. Zungu, 11. Allende, 35. Maema, 44. Mabena, 29. Ralani, 10. Sirino
Subs: 1. Pieterse, 6. B.Onyango, 36. Mohamme, 3. Ngobeni, 21. Mkhulise, 31. Nkosi, 11. Mailula, 28. Nasir
Maritzburg United: 32. Leaner, 3. De Goede, 22. Theron, 12. Njoti, 6. Graham, 2. Cross, 5. Makume, 11. Soukouna, 28. Palace, 10. Human, 26. Kimvuidi
Subs: 47. Langa, 16. Ritchie, 46. Peprah, 23. Moloisane, 14. Meza, 50. Tlolane, 24. Bhengu, 20. Samu, 45. Jooste
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