Goliath (Sundowns) proves too strong for David (Baroka)

When Kgoloko Thobejane entered the Loftus Versfeld Stadium with his Baroka FC side, he imagined that his struggling side would get a chance to script their own version of the biblical story of David versus Goliath.

It seemed as though it would pan out as planned for Bakgaga, especially when they had an advantage of an extra man in stoppage time of the first half, but Downs showed their might to beat them 2-1 in the DStv Premiership on Tuesday evening.

Kermit Erasmus was sent off after receiving two yellow cards, the first for a scuffle with Dan Ndlovu and the second for his potty mouth, although it is unclear what he said to referee Akhona Makhalima. However, that numerical advantage was short-lived as Sundowns scored the opener immediately after play resumed.

Lyle Lakay swung in a set-piece which was headed by Rushine De Reuck down the alley of Rivaldo Coetzee, and the defensive midfielder pounced into an empty net, scoring a rare goal for the Brazilians. Earlier on in the first stanza, Masandawana fans suffered a blow in the 24^th minute when Peter Shalulile had to be stretched off after a collision that hurt him badly in the mouth.

With Shalulile off the pitch, Downs looked to Themba Zwane for some inspiration and he proved why he has been their talisman for the better part of the last five years. Zwane scored the winner in the 83^rd minute, helping Sundowns to 40 points this season.

For Bakgaga’s sole effort in the 72^nd minute, Richard Mbulu did all the work himself, showing some fine skill to turn his marker inside out before creating some space to line up a shot. At first it looked as though Mbulu would play in a cross, but he went straight for goal, much to the surprise of Denis Onyango – who did not expect that – Mbulu fired in a bolting shot from a tight angle.

In response, the trio of co-head coaches Manqoba Mngqithi and Rhulani Mokwena alongside senior coach Steve Komphela put their brains together to restrategize and saw it best to withdraw Pavol Safranko three minutes after Mbulu’s strike. Ricardo Nascimento came on in his place in what was a move to strengthen the rear guard.

Masandawana’s next assignment is a visit from rivals Orlando Pirates in one of the highly anticipated fixtures in the DStv Premiership calendar.