Zimbabwe international striker Evans Rusike outshone his illustrious Warriors teammate Khama Billiat as he scored the priceless goal that powered Maritzburg United to a 1-0 shock win over African champions Mamelodi Sundowns in an MTN8 quarter-final in Atteridgeville yesterday.
Rusike has been a bit-part player for the Warriors where Billiat is one of the talisman but the forward has been quietly building a good profile for himself in Super Diski.
Yesterday, in a game which saw Billiat returning from a long injury lay-off, it was Rusike who stole the headlines with the only goal that knocked out Sundowns.
Not that he hadn’t warned them.
“Sundowns are a good side and you know they’re African champions. We’ll just go there with all we’ve got to play to win since it’s a Cup game,” Rusike, who scored when the sides previously met in a 2-2 league draw at the same venue late last season, had said ahead of the game.
“The good thing of this team is that everyone who has just come in are fitting in well with the rest of the players. We have now Siyanda Xulu, who has experience, and they are hungry to play.
“As the players there’s always room for improvement. Last season we took that as the lesson and we take it and learn from it.’’
Billat had an early opportunity for the Brazilians but directed a tame shot straight at goalkeeper Bongani Mpandle after being released by Hlompho Kekana’s ball over the top.
At the other end, Zambian net-minder Kennedy Mweene, who was handed a rare start ahead of sick teammate Denis Onyango, was alert to gather a low effort from Lebohang Maboe.
Sundowns started the second stanza strongly, as Thabo Nthethe’s header hit the post in the 52nd minute.
However, Rusike pounced from close range six minutes later to give the Team of Choice the lead.
The diminutive Billiat nearly equalised in the 67th minute but glanced a header narrowly off target following a cross from the right by Thapelo Morena.
Another Zimbabwean international, midfielder Kuda Mahachi, scored as 10-man Bidvest Wits needed penalties to dispatch nine-man Golden Arrows in their MTN8 quarter final after the game ended 2-2 after 120 minutes of action in an ill-tempered affair at the Bidvest Stadium on Friday night.
The officials were heavily involved in dictating the outcome of the tie, sending off three players and three technical team members. — Kick-Off
