MAMELODI Sundowns did not show any signs of fatigue as they soldiered on valiantly despite their hectic schedule. Games are coming in thick and fast, but they seem to be coping well with their unusual situation.
In a game that they didn’t want to play, theBrazilians put aside their feelings to do the job in their Absa Premiership encounter against the relegation threatened Maritzburg United.
The Tshwane based outfit made use of their catch up game to collect the maximum points courtesy of a hard fought 2-1 victory over the Team of Choice at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg last night.
The Tshwane visitors got the ball rolling as early as the fifth minute.
New signing Emiliano Tade, who was playing in familiar territory, having played for the Team of Choice’s local rivals AmaZulu before his switch to Tshwane, was on the end of a beautiful Lebogang Maboe back heel to score an amazing goal.
Maboe added a second goal 15 minutes later when he benefitted from a Gaston Sirino assist to seal the three points. But Sirino was sent off in the second half as Downs played the remaining 29 minutes with 10-men.
Fortune Makaringe gave theBrazilians a big scare as he pulled one goal back with seven minutes remaining. However, the Brazilians hanged on to complete the league double over the home side.
Coach Pitso “Jingles” Mosimane’s charges travelled to North Africa for their Caf Champions’ League Group A date against Wydad Casablanca on Saturday straight after the game. They left Pietermaritzburg happy as they returned to the summit of the log with 43 points, three points clear over second placed Orlando Pirates from 23 matches. The Team of Choice remained at the foot of the table 17 points from 24 matches.
The Brazilians are juggling their ambitions of winning the Champions League and the Premiership title.
Their hectic programme require them to play two games per week in between travelling to various parts of the continent.
