Mamelodi Sundowns suffered their second defeat of the season, as they lost 2-1 to Maritzburg United after a controversial stoppage time penalty in their DStv Premiership fixture at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Saturday evening.
It was the second defeat in the league for the log leaders, who remain on 51 points, 16 points clear of second-placed Kaizer Chiefs.
Maritzburg United 1-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
There were two earlier chances for the visitors, but Teboho Mokoena’s shot was deflected over, while from the resulting corner Thapelo Morena headed wide. Sundowns were dominating proceedings and Marcel Engelhardt was called into action in the 11th minute, first saving from Peter Shalulile, before immediately having to deny Lesedi Kapinga.
Tawanda Macheke was at the end of the promising move from Maritzburg United in the 19th minute, but his shot was always going wide.
Lyle Lakay went high and wide in the 33rd minute, but Peter Shalulile was not to be denied in the 37th minute, as his excellent header onto a ball from Haashim Domingo left Engelhardt with no chance.
Maritzburg struck back almost immediately, Alfred Ndengane rising highest to head in Keagan Ritchie’s corner kick in the 41st minute, and at half-time the score was 1-1.
Sundowns were pressing for more goals early in the second half, but they found strong resistance from Maritzburg, with Nazier Allie making two crucial goalmouth clearances in the opening ten minutes to deny Kapinga and Shalulile.
Both teams turned to their benches, and Kennedy Mweene needed to be alert in the 70th minute to deny Maritzburg substitute Amadou Soukouna, while two minutes later Sundowns sub Neo Maema was off target at the other end.
Thema Zwane, who had also come off the bench, dribbled through the defence in the 76th minute, but his final effort went wide. Engelhardt made light work two minutes from a shot from another sub Thabiso Kutumela.
Sundowns were awarded a penalty in the 83rd minute, after Allie handled the ball in the box. Zwane stepped up to take the spot kick, but Engelhardt did well to make a one-handed save to keep it 1-1.
Kutumela had a great chance to win it in the 88th minute, but his shot from in front of goal was blazed over.
There was drama in stoppage time as Maritzburg were awarded a controversial penalty for an alleged foul by Mweene on Soukouna. Soukouna dusted himself off and scored to give Maritzburg the lead, and an unlikely victory.
A first win for Maritzburg against Sundowns since 2012.
