Baroka fight back to deny Stars

by Graeme Jackson

Sunday Nov 26, 2017. 17:57

Platinum Stars were twice pegged back by Baroka FC as the teams played to a 2-2 draw in an entertaining Absa Premiership match at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday.

Bakgaga continue to lead the top flight despite not having won a game since late September, while Dikwena move back to 15th place on goal difference and have at least put together a five-match unbeaten run.

Stars created the first half chance of the match inside the opening 10 minutes, but striker Bongi Ntuli only succeeded in hitting the side netting with an effort from a tight angle.

The teams then cancelled each other out for most of the first half, with few scoring opportunities created at either end.

However, on 35 minutes the visitors put together a fine passing move which saw Robert Ng’ambi tee up Katlego Otladisa, who showed great composure to pick his spot and stroke home a low shot to make it 1-0 to Stars.

Otladisa’s first goal in PSL football left Dikwena one up at the half-time break, but they still opted for a tactical change at the start of the second as Enocent Mkhabela replaced Raymond Monama in midfield.

Yet it was Baroka’s first substitute, Mpho Kgaswane, who made a major impact on the game, as he struck home a superb shot from outside the box on 58 minutes to draw the hosts level at 1-1.

Stars almost reclaimed the lead in the 74th minute when Ntuli beat Virgil Vries to a long ball over the top and got around the goalkeeper, but with defenders retreating to pressure him the striker wasn’t able to capitalise.

The match looked set to end 1-1, but two late goals added some further drama. First, on 87 minutes, Ng’ambi scrambled the ball home from close range after Vries couldn’t handle a cross from the right flank, but this was immediately cancelled out by a sublime volley from Robin Ngalande to leave the game locked at 2-2.

The teams will be back in league action next midweek, with Baroka away to Mamelodi Sundowns on December 5, while Stars will take on hosts Polokwane City the following day.

Baroka FC (0) 2 (Kgaswane 58’, Ngalande 89’)
Platinum Stars (1) 2 (Otladisa 35’, Ng’ambi 87’)

Baroka: Vries, Shaku, Masenamela, Chawapihwa (Macha 66’), Banda,Moeti (Kgaswane 55’), Kgoetyane, Ntshangase (Mosele 84’), Madubanya, Mdantsane, Ngalande

Stars: Visser, Mnguni, Mwedihanga, Zulu, Sithole, Msomi, Masalesa, Ng'ambi, Monama (Mkhabela 46’), Otladisa (De Jongh 90’), Ntuli