Team of Choice suffer second half onslaught

United let slip a half time lead to go down 5-1 to Mamelodi Sundowns at the Woodburn Stadium on Friday night.

Maritzburg scored the first goal of the night when Felix Obada's dangerous run was halted by a foul by Sundowns defender Siyanda Xulu.

The penalty was awarded and Noah Chivuta sent Brian Baloyi the wrong way to put his side in front.

Maritzburg then had chances to extend their lead, but Fadlu Davids miss-fired on the half hour mark and then Rudolf Bester failed to hit the target from a difficult angle.

The game turned around in the second half when Katlego Mphela beat Brendon Wardle with an angled shot just after the restart.

Four minutes later Elias Pelembe put Downs in front for the first time, before Mphela added his second in the 71st minute after a superb solo run and excellent finish into the far corner of the net.

Mabuthi Khenyeza, with a volley, and Lebohang Mokoena added late goals to complete a miserable night for the Team of Choice.

The result leaves Maritzburg in 10th position with 10 points from nine games.

Maritzburg: Wardle; Petersen, Hendricks, Dikilu, Ngwepe; Obada, Chivuta, Nyatama (Madondo 79’), Bester; Davids (Zimba 80’), Smith (Aka 63’)

Sundowns: Baloyi; Gaxa (Mere 77’), Mungomeni, Xulu, Mdledle; Pelembe, Nyandoro (Ngubane 87’), Pattison, Katongo (Mokoena 69’); Khenyeza, Mphela