Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 Baroka
Date: 17 February 2021
Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Mamelodi Sundowns moved five points clear at the top of the DStv Premiership table after defeating Baroka 2-0 on Wednesday evening.
Sundowns were unchanged from their win over Al-Hilal Omdurman, with Themba Zwane and Gaston Sirino supporting lone-striker Peter Shalulile upfront while Elvis Chipezeze got the nod ahead of Oscarine Masuluke in the Baroka goal.
The visitors had a chance to go ahead in the 18th minute from a counter-attack after Thamsanqa Masiya picked out Evidence Makgopa who could only fire straight at Denis Onyango from close-range.
Peter Shalulile looked to continue his fine form but missed a big chance to finish off Gaston Sirino's square pass at the back post, with his effort heroically saved by Chipezeze on the goal-line.
The momentum shifted back to the visitors as Masiya 's attempted lob sailed wide with only Onyango to beat, before Mash Mphahlele saw his long-range effort kept out by the Sundowns shot-stopper.
After a slow start to the second half, Sirino finally broke the ice for the hosts in the 63rd minute with a side-footed shot past Chipezeze in a one-on-one situation after a through ball by Kermit Erasmus.
The Brazilians doubled their advantage five minutes later after Shalulile had an easy tap-in after Chipezeze could only parry Erasmus' shot into the Namibian's path.
Erasmus was unfortunate not to add a third for Sundowns in the 72nd minute with a first-time strike on the far side of the box that crashed the upright.
Ricardo Nacimento denied Kamatuka a sure goal from a volley for Baroka in the last 12 minutes, preserving a clean-sheet for Sundowns with header off the line as the hosts held on for their 10th league win of the season.
Sundowns: 14. Onyango, 5. Lebusa, 3. Nascimento, 41. Mvala, 7. Lakay, 40. Coetzee, 21. Mkhulise, 10. Sirino, 18. Zwane, 33. Maboe, 38. Shalulile.
Subs: 20. Goss, 37. Modiba, 27. Morena, 22. Kapinga, De Reuck, 23. Domingo, 15. Jali, 11. Erasmus, 32. Mkhuma.
Baroka: 1. Chipezeze, 35. Mphahlele, 5. Makume, 3. Gebhardt, 24. Jampies, 14. Mosele, 17. Kambala, 21. Masiya, 10. Phiri Jr, 12. Mgaga, 27. Makgopa.
Subs: 30. Masuluke, 4. Seema, 18. Shozi, 2. Kgoetyane, Ntemane, 20. Patjie, 37. Kamatuka, 15. Mogale, 28. Monama.
