Percy Tau netted his eleventh goal of the campaign as Mamelodi Sundowns came from behind to claim a 2-1 win against Baroka on Sunday afternoon, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.

The game got off to a slow start with both sides looking to sniff out each other’s weaknesses in the opening exchanges.

Good link-up play from Khama Billiat and Sibusiso Vilakazi saw the latter register the first shot on target with a well-struck volley in the seventh minute.

Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango was almost put in a spot of bother a minute later, but he parried away Talent Chawapiwa’s long-range effort.

Baroka were handed an early injury blow as Chawapiwa was forced off with Robin Ngalande subsequently replacing him. Lucky Nguzana came agonisingly close to opening the scoring in the 19th minute after getting in behind the Sundowns defence.

Onyango made a world-class save to deny Nguzana’s goalbound effort in the 21st minute. Nguzana was not to be denied two minutes later when he latched on to Ngalande’s ball from a corner after poor defending from the visitors to slot past Onyango.

Sundowns upped the tempo in search of the equaliser and came close through efforts in quick succession from Tau and Gaston Sirino.

Billiat and Sirino were guilty of spurning easy opportunities in quick succession after the half-hour mark as Sundowns continued to get the better of the Bakgaga defence.

Defender Wayne Arendse put Sundowns level moments before the half-time break when he rose highest to head home a well-worked corner from Tau.

Sundowns came out guns blazing in the second half and took the lead for the first time in the game in the 51st minute after Vilakazi’s expert ball in the area found Tau, who made no mistake to net his eleventh goal of the campaign.

In a bid to add to their lead, Sundowns brought on Themba Zwane and Oupa Manyisa for Vilakazi and Sirino respectively.

Mosimane’s men saw out the remaining minutes of the clash with ease to run out 2-1 victors and extend their lead at the top of the table to four points over Orlando Pirates.

Baroka XI: Baroka: 33 Dlamini, 9 Nguzana, 15 Mothupa, 29 Mohwatseleng, 23 Kgaswane, 7 Chawaphiwa, 24 Banda, 2 Kgoetyane, 13 Sidumo, 8 Mdantsane, 4 Madubanya.

Sundowns XI: 14 Onyango, 4 Langerman, 27 Morena, 6 Arendse, 16 Nascimento, 13 Madunda, 11 Vilakazi, 8 Kekana, 26 Sirino, 33 Billiat, 22 Tau.

Photo: Gallo Images