Sports / Soccer
Malajila fires Maritzburg into Nedbank Cup last 16
31 Mar 2012 at 17:49hrs | Views
Former Highlanders and Dynamos hitman, Cuthbert Malajila, scored the only goal to help 10-man Maritzburg United stun Golden Arrows with a 1-0 victory in their Nedbank Cup last 16 encounter in KwaMashu on Saturday.
Kurt Lentjies received a straight red card for a bad tackle early in the second half, before Malajila netted his first goal for the club in the 73rd minute when he finished Wayne Matle's free kick in a match played in strong, swirling winds.
United, though, had their goalkeeper, Shuaib Walters, to thank after he produced a string of saves throughout the game, including one late on as the visitors avenged their 4-1 Premiership loss against Arrows two weeks ago.
The team from Pietermaritzburg made a strong start and could have been ahead inside the opening two minutes, but for a brilliant save from Nkosi Gumede.
The Arrows goalkeeper threw himself to his right to somehow tip over a powerful long-range free-kick from Lentjies on the right that was deflected towards the top corner.
Five minutes later, Collins Mbesuma was the quickest to a loose ball just inside the box, but he fired straight at Walters.
There was a bit of controversy in the 10th minute when a direct free-kick from Hendricks, from inside his own half, was carried by the wind and bounced over Gumede into the back of the net, but the goal was disallowed by referee Victor Gomes.
In the 25th minute, a cross from the left evaded two visiting defenders courtesy of some help by the wind, but Philani Shange saw his effort somehow tipped over by Walters from eight metres out.
Ten minutes later, Siyabonga Nkosi picked out Mbesuma in an even closer position, but the visiting keeper saved with his legs as Arrows continued to be frustrated.
The Team of Choice were limited to long-range attempts by Mor Diouf and Kulegani Madondo, both flying handsomely wide, with the two sides going in goalless at the break.
There was a big moment three minutes into the second period when Lentjies received his marching orders for going in two-footed on Shange.
Arrows still struggled to create opportunities, but they had another fine chance in the 65th minute when Mbesuma received the ball inside the box from Nkosi, but after turning and shooting low, he was left frustrated by another impressive Walters save.
Muhsin Ertugral's men were then dealt a sucker punch after substitute Matle's free kick from the right fell kindly for Malajila, who could hardly miss.
With seven minutes to go, one of Arrows' replacements, Katlego Mashego, saw his shot closed down by Walters, while moments later the United keeper dived to his right to keep out an Nkosi strike from a distance.
Three minutes into injury time, more bravery was required from the United defence with Walters blocking from Sheppard, Nkosi striking the upright and Diouf heading over with the visitors holding on.
Kurt Lentjies received a straight red card for a bad tackle early in the second half, before Malajila netted his first goal for the club in the 73rd minute when he finished Wayne Matle's free kick in a match played in strong, swirling winds.
United, though, had their goalkeeper, Shuaib Walters, to thank after he produced a string of saves throughout the game, including one late on as the visitors avenged their 4-1 Premiership loss against Arrows two weeks ago.
The team from Pietermaritzburg made a strong start and could have been ahead inside the opening two minutes, but for a brilliant save from Nkosi Gumede.
The Arrows goalkeeper threw himself to his right to somehow tip over a powerful long-range free-kick from Lentjies on the right that was deflected towards the top corner.
Five minutes later, Collins Mbesuma was the quickest to a loose ball just inside the box, but he fired straight at Walters.
There was a bit of controversy in the 10th minute when a direct free-kick from Hendricks, from inside his own half, was carried by the wind and bounced over Gumede into the back of the net, but the goal was disallowed by referee Victor Gomes.
Ten minutes later, Siyabonga Nkosi picked out Mbesuma in an even closer position, but the visiting keeper saved with his legs as Arrows continued to be frustrated.
The Team of Choice were limited to long-range attempts by Mor Diouf and Kulegani Madondo, both flying handsomely wide, with the two sides going in goalless at the break.
There was a big moment three minutes into the second period when Lentjies received his marching orders for going in two-footed on Shange.
Arrows still struggled to create opportunities, but they had another fine chance in the 65th minute when Mbesuma received the ball inside the box from Nkosi, but after turning and shooting low, he was left frustrated by another impressive Walters save.
Muhsin Ertugral's men were then dealt a sucker punch after substitute Matle's free kick from the right fell kindly for Malajila, who could hardly miss.
With seven minutes to go, one of Arrows' replacements, Katlego Mashego, saw his shot closed down by Walters, while moments later the United keeper dived to his right to keep out an Nkosi strike from a distance.
Three minutes into injury time, more bravery was required from the United defence with Walters blocking from Sheppard, Nkosi striking the upright and Diouf heading over with the visitors holding on.
Source - Sapa
