Mamelodi Sundowns suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Baroka at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto on Sunday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.
Pitso Mosimane made one change to his side that beat Kaizer Chiefs on Thursday as the injured Rivaldo Coetzee was replaced by Andile Jali in midfield.
Dylan Kerr, meanwhile, named Ayanda Dlamini between the sticks as he came in to replace the suspended Elvis Chipezeze.
Sundowns showed their intent early on as Sphelele Mkhulise forced Dlamini into making a close-range save at the far post.
Kennedy Mweene nearly out the into his own net minutes later after the Sundowns keeper misjudged the ball from the left hand side.
With their first real chance at goal Baroka broke the deadlock after 20 minutes when Ananias Gebhardt directed his header into the net from a resulting corner.
Lyle Lakay almost levelled matters in the closing stages of the first half, but his left-footed free-kick narrowly missed the far corner of Dlamini’s goal.
Bakgaga went into the half time interval with a one goal lead over the Brazilians.
Mosimane opted to make a change early in the opening exchanges of the second half as Vilakazi and Mkhuma replaced Meza and Jali.
The home side we’re forced into making another substitution 10 minutes later when substitute Vilakazi had to be replaced by Lebogang Maboe after sustaining an injury.
Sundowns nearly brought the game level in the 74th minute when Lakay fired his free-kick against the wall.
The Brazilians continued to press forward in the closing stages of the game as Maboe whipped in an inviting ball into the area but none of his teammates could make any contact with the ball.
Sundowns had one final push in stoppage time as Sirino played a ball into the path of Lakay, who hit it first time but his effort sailed over the target before Sirino had a chance of his own moments later but Dlamini knocked it over for a corner.
However, Sundowns were unable to find the net as Baroka held on to their one-goal advantage over the home side to walk away with three points after the final whistle.
