SUNDOWNS THRASH BAROKA TO MOVE TOP
Mamelodi Sundowns thumped Baroka 4-0 in an Absa Premiership match at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Tuesday night.
The victory takes the Brazilians to the top of the league standings, while Bakgaga slip down to second spot.
The Brazilians got off to the best possible start as they were awarded a penalty after Sibusiso Vilakazi was fouled by Ali Banda in the Baroka box two minutes into the game.
Motjeka Madisha then made no mistake from the spot-kick as the defender scored to make it 1-0 to Sundowns much to the delight of the home crowd inside the stadium.
Sundowns looked dangerous every time they pushed forward in search of another goal. Khama Billiat, Themba Zwane, Percy Tau and Vilakazi were all looking lively for the Brazilians.
The hosts deservedly doubled their lead in the 27th minute when Themba Zwane finished off Khama Billiat’s cross to make it 2-0 to Sundowns, with Baroka chasing shadows.
Bakgaga goalkeeper Virgil Vries had to be alert when Billiat unleashed a shot from the penalty spot in the 35th minute and the former made a good save to deny the Zimbabwean forward.
Baroka managed to contain Sundowns in the remaining minutes of the first-half and the score was 2-0 to the home side at the interval.
Sundowns continued their dominance in the second-half and they extended their lead through Tau three minutes after the restart with the Baroka defence exposed once again.
The South African international scored with a beautiful finish – beating former Maritzburg United shot-stopper Vries to make it 3-0 to Sundowns following a good build up by the hosts.
Pitso Mosimane, the Sundowns head coach, decided to make a change in the 67th minute – pulling out Vilakazi, who had been booked, and the tactician introduced George Lebese.
It was soon 4-0 to Sundowns when Billiat set up Tau, who beat Vries with a good finish from close range in the 71st minute as Baroka continued to struggle to contain the home side.
Baroka launched late attacks in search of a late consolation goal, but they were wasteful, with Richard Matloga missing the target following a good move by the visitors.
Ultimately, Sundowns ran out 4-0 winners over a hapless Baroka side on the night.
Sundowns (2) 4 (Madisha 3′, T.Zwane 27′, Tau 48′, 71′)
Baroka 0
Sundowns: Onyango, Langerman, Soumahoro (Arendse 39′), Morena, Madisha, Billiat (Zakri 81′) Kekana, Mabunda, Vilakazi (Lebese 67′) Zwane, Tau.
Baroka: Vries, Shaku, Masenamela, Chawapihwa (Ntshangase 68′), Banda, Mosele (Kgaswane 54′), Kgoetyane, Macha (Matloga 36′), Madubanya, Mdantsane, Ngalande.
