Staff Reporter.
10-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.
Andile Jali returned from suspension and Kermit Erasmus got a rare starting berth for Sundowns, whilst Baroka named star man Evidence Makgopa on the bench.
The first half saw both sides creating several good scoring chances as Baroka matched their more illustrious opponents.
It was Sundowns, though, who enjoyed the first chance of the game after just a minute played when Rushine De Reuck went close with a flashing header from a Lyle Lakay corner.
Baroka, meanwhile, proved to be a real threat on the counter-attack and had a great chance in the 17th minute when Richard Mbulu’s shot deflected into the path of Sikela Sithole, whose subsequent effort lacked the power to beat Denis Onyango in goal.
Mbulu then squandered a very good opportunity when he blazed a shot over the crossbar after going clean through on goal, while Dan Ndlovu’s low drive from the right was kept out by Onyango at the near post.
Sundowns weren’t getting a lot of joy in attack and their plight worsened when Peter Shalulile was forced to leave the action after picking up an injury midway through the stanza.
Proceedings then took another turn for the worse for the hosts when Kermit Erasmus was sent off in the second minute of added time. Having initially been booked for an altercation with Ndlovu, he then seemingly having back-chatted the referee, was shown a second card and was sent off.
Sundowns then took the lead from the subsequent free-kick when Lakay floated the ball into the box and goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke fluffed his lines trying to clear and Coetzee was on hand to tap into an empty net.
Even though they were a man down Sundowns had a chance to double their lead early in the second half but Themba Zwane shot straight at Masuluke from close-range.
Baroka though were a constant threat and deservedly equalised with 20 minutes remaining when Mbulu brilliantly beat shot-stopper Denis Onyango with a powerful shot from a tight angle.
The visitors would have been happy to take a point from the contest but Zwane stepped up with a good run and finish in the 83rd minute that sealed all three points for the log leaders.
The victory sees Sundowns maintain their unbeaten record in the league as they have now accumulated 40 points from 16 games courtesy of 12 victories and four draws.
Meanwhile Marumo Gallants and Cape Town City drew 0-0 in the DStv Premiership match at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The draw saw Gallants and City remain 11th and 10th respectively on the league standings following a game which was dominated by the visitors without scoring.
Elsewhere AmaZulu FC showed character as they fought back to hold Chippa United to a 2-2 draw in the DStv Premiership match at the Jonsson Kings Park Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
The draw saw Chippa climb out of the relegation zone as they moved up to 14th place on the league standings, while Amazulu remained eighth on the table in a match that saw Luvuyo Memela and Bienvenu Eva Nga both grab a brace.
DSTV Premiership Results:
AmaZulu 2-2 Chippa United
Marumo Gallants 0-0 Cape Town City
Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 Baroka FC.