Baroka take aim at Free State Stars

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Sep 15, 2017. 09:25

Baroka FC will look to build on their midweek win when they host Free State Stars for an Absa Premiership match at Peter Mokaba Stadium on 16 September 2017, kick-off at 15h00.

Baroka claimed their first win of the season - and extended their unbeaten run to three matches - with an impressive 3-1 victory away to Chippa United on 12 September. Gift Motupa came off the bench to net two goals in the Eastern Cape.

Bakgaga will be looking to pick up a second successive three-pointer, with their only previous home match this season a 1-1 draw against Orlando Pirates in which they had to fight back from a goal down to salvage a share of the spoils.

Stars come into the match having suffered a second successive league loss - they were beaten 2-1 at home by Mamelodi Sundowns on September 11, though new coach Luc Eymael labeled it a promising performance in his first match in charge.

Ea Lla Koto’s only other away match so far this season was a 1-0 loss at AmaZulu in the opening round. Given that they have just one point from three matches thus far, the Free State side will be under pressure to claim a positive result.

In head-to-head stats, Baroka and Stars have met in just two previous league matches. Both encounters took place last season, with Ea Lla Koto winning 1-0 in their home clash thanks to an own goal from Theriso Mapheto. The return game in Polokwane saw Bakgaga claim revenge with a 2-1 triumph, thanks to a brace from Maboke Matlakala.

Baroka’s line-up from their 3-1 win over Chippa on 12 September: Vries, Shaku, Kgoetyane, Ntshangase (Motupa 59’), Banda, Moeti, Chawapihwa, Mothupa, Madubanya, Mdantsane, Nguzana.

Stars’ line-up from their 2-1 loss to Sundowns on 11 September: Sangare, Mobbie, Masehe, Keita, Phungwayo, Mokhuoane, Vilakazi, Abubakar (Venter 62’), Hlubi (Anas 69’), Mthembu, Manqele (Jantjie 53’).