Ten-man Mamelodi Sundowns claimed a 2-1 victory over Baroka FC at Loftus Versfeld on Tuesday to extend their lead at the top of the table.
DStv Premiership
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 Baroka
Date: 14 December 2021
Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium
The Sundowns coaching staff made two changes from the Tshwane derby win over SuperSport United with Andile Jali and Kermit Erasmus replacing Neo Maema and Thabiso Kutumela. Meanwhile, Baroka F coach Kgoloko Thobejane made just the one change with Bayzzel Goldstone coming into the starting lineup in place of Bennet Bobete.
Sundowns had a chance in the opening stages as Rushine de Reuck rose highest to meet Lyle Lakay's corner and saw his effort go just wide.
The sides then exchanged chances as first Erasmus tried his luck with a snapshot from the edge of the edge of the area with Oscarine Masuluke making the save and soon after, Christopher Sekela forced a save out of Denis Onyango.
Peter Shalulile then headed over from another excellent Lakay corner in the 23rd minute and was involved in a clash of heads meaning he was unable to continue with Pavol Safranko coming on in his place.
Onyango then saved from a shot towards the near post from Thamsanqa Masiya before Siphelele Mkhulise's shot was also saved at the near post by Masuluke.
Erasmus was sent off right on the stroke of half-time after showing dissent towards referee Akhona Makalima. But from the resulting free-kick the Brazilians scored, with the ball falling kindly to Rivaldo Coetzee after the set-piece was swung in and he had a simple tap-in to an empty net.
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Two minutes after the interval Safranko chested down Thapelo Morena's pass for Themba Zwane in the box and he just had the goalkeeper to beat but he side-footed straight at Masuluke.
The Brazilians were controlling the game despite being down to ten men. However, the visitors fashioned a chance against the run of play as Bobete got his head to a cross from Richard Mbulu but nodded it into Onyango's arms.
Bakgaga equalised with 20 minutes to go when Mbulu twisted and turned De Reuck and fired off a vicious shot from near the byline which flashed past Onyango at his near post.
However, Zwane came to the rescue for Downs with ten minutes to go. Morena made a nice run and found Zwane, who smashed home a powerful shot into the left-hand corner after going around Denwin Farmer.
Here's how they started:
Sundowns: 14. D. Onyango, 40. Coetzee, 28. De Reuck, 4. Kekana, 7. Lakay, 27. Morena, 15. Jali, 21. Mkhulise, 11. Erasmus, 18. Zwane, 38. Shalulile.
Subs: 20. Goss, 3. Nascimento, 6. B.Onyango, 34. Mvala, 37. Modiba, 25. Kapinga, 9. Safranko, 37. Lunga, 24. Vilakazi.
Baroka: 30. Masuluke, 5. Makume, 6. Sibiya, 33. Farmer, 11. Sithole, 21. Masiya, 23. Ngubane, 24. Ndhlovu, 29. Bobete, 17. Kambala, 9. Mbulu.
Subs: 1. Chipezeze, 2. Mphahlele, 8. Goldstone, 12. Mgaga, 16. Dlala, 19. Chauke, 27. Makgopa, 28. Monama, 35. Moabelo.
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