AmaZulu fight back to hold Baroka

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Wednesday Nov 01, 2017. 21:52

Baroka FC held AmaZulu FC to a 1-1 draw in an Absa Premiership match at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday night.

As a result, Usuthu remain ninth on the league standings, on the league table, while Bakgaga Ba Ga Mphahlele remain at the top of the log.

AmaZulu goalkeeper Boalefa Pule and his Baroka counterpart Virgil Vries were not seriously tested in the opening exchanges.

But Pule had to be alert in the 21st minute as Bakgaga Ba Ga Mphahlele looked to break the deadlock.

The former South Africa youth international made a good save to deny Baroka attacker Sipho Moeti.

However, Pule was beaten in the 29th minute after the visitors were awarded a penalty which was converted by Gift Motupa.

Usuthu then pressed Bakgaga Ba Ga Mphahlele and they deservedly equalized three minutes later.

Rhulani Manzini hit the back of the net with wonderful overhead kick to make it 1-1 with Vries well beaten.

Baroka then contained AmaZulu in the remaining minutes of the first-half and the score was 1-1 at the interval.

AmaZulu coach Cavin Johnson made the first change of the game at the beginning of the second-half.

Siyethemba Mnguni replaced Boysen Mbatha as the home side looked to take the lead for the first time on the night.

But visitors' defence stood firm with Usuthu struggling to create good goal scoring opportunites.

Mzwanele Mahashe, a defender by trade, was introduced by Bakgaga in the closing stages of the match as the visitors looked settle for a draw.

Baroka were able to defend very well in the latter stages of the match and ultimately, the match ended in a 1-1 stalemate.

AmaZulu (1) 1 (Manzini 33')
Baroka (1) 1 (Motupa 29')

AmaZulu: Pule, Gumede M, Mtsweni, Gumede P, Sikhakhane, Darpoh, Ncube, Mbatha B (Mnguni 46'), Ncobeni, Cele, Manzini (Khenyeza 68').

Baroka: Vries, Shaku, Matloga (Mahashe 77'), Chawapiwa (Ngalande 63'), Banda, Moeti, Kgoetyane, Mothupa, Madubanya, Mdantsane, Motupa (Nguzana 83').