Johan Neeskens' miserable start to his second season at Mamelodi Sundowns continued yesterday with a humbling defeat to Maritzburg United, leaving the Brazilians with just one win from three Absa Premiership matches.
Mamelodi Sundowns (0) 1 - Maritzburg United (0) 2
The mob mentality of the Sundowns supporters surfaced again following the result as the fans, who bayed for Neeskens' blood, made it clear that the Dutchman had overstayed his welcome.
Sundowns faithful chanted: "We want Pitso (Mosimane)".
Mosimane is the former Bafana coach and the club's ex-player.
The coach, who continues to remind everyone who cares to listen that he will quit the club if he doesn't win any silverware this season, saw his side suffer a second successive league defeat.
Sundowns were also knocked out of the MTN8 in the semifinals by Moroka Swallows (6-5 on aggregate) last week and this was their chance to bounce back.
The latest of Sundowns woes was witnessed here following a Delron Buckley double in the second half. The home side were humiliated by a team they were expected to walk all over given the quality in Neeskens' team.
Nyasha Mushekwi got a late goal in an attempt to get Sundowns back into the game, but the injury time strike did not lead to a dramatic ending.
The home fans tried to force their way onto the pitch to confront Neeskens after the final whistle but he rushed for the safety of the tunnel.
The behaviour overshadowed Maritzburg's stunning victory.
Buckley, a former Bafana star who has since returned home to the Premier League after a lengthy spell abroad, dictated in midfield and was duly rewarded with two well-taken goals.
The playmaker punched holes in the Sundowns defence, which looked suspect for most of the match. Downs' central defence pairing of Wayne Arendse and Clayton Daniels looked out of sorts and made fans cringe each time they had to clear the ball out of danger.
And the early threat from Maritzburg striker Cuthbert Malajila signalled that the duo could be overwhelmed if the visitors continued to push.
It was only by a stroke of misfortune that Malajila, the man who all but ended Sundowns' title hopes with a late winner in the corresponding fixture last season, missed the target early on.
On two occasions the striker found himself one-on-one with keeper Wayne Sandilands only to first shoot wide then force a save from the goal-minder.
But Buckley, with his experience, would soon take over and steer his side to second in the PSL table after two wins and a draw.
Only goal difference separates them from leaders, Kaizer Chiefs. The Brazilians are eleventh.
In yesterday's only other game, Black Leopards and newly promoted Chippa United played to a 0-0 draw at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
The draw sees United earn their first point of the new Premier League campaign, while Leopards move into sixth position on the log.
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