Baroka defeat AmaZulu in Polokwane

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Sunday Jan 14, 2018. 17:39

Baroka FC defeated AmaZulu 2-0 in an Absa Premiership match at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Sunday afternoon.

As a result, Bakgaga climb up to sixth place on the league table, while Usuthu remain 14th on the standings.

Both sides launched attacks in the early stages of the game and it was Bakgaga, who opened the scoring following a good move in the Usuthu box.

Mduduzi Mdantsane beat his marker, before firing past AmaZulu goalkeeper Siyabonga Mbatha to make it 1-0 to Baroka seven minutes into the game.

Usuthu pushed for the equalizing goal with Mhlengi Cele working tirelessly upfront for the visitors, but he was tightly marked by Baroka defender Olaleng Shaku.

But Cele managed to test Baroka keeper Virgil Vries just after the half-hour mark and the Namibia international denied the AmaZulu striker with ease.

It should have been 1-1 at half-time when the ball fell kindly for Cele in the Baroka box on the stroke of half-time, but somehow the striker missed the target.

AmaZulu were trailing 1-0 at half-time and Cavin Johnson's side had to find a way to level matters in the second-half.

Johnson pulled out Somila Ntsundwana and he introduced Usuthu's top goalscorer Rhulani Manzini just the before the second-half began.

The Bakgaga defence continued to contain Usuthu, who attacked in numbers in search of the equalizing goal.

Manzini had a chance to level matters in the 76th minute, but his header lacked power and Vries made a comfortable save.

The hosts then doubled their lead against the run of play two minutes later as Gift Motupa fired past Mbatha to make it 2-0 to Baroka.

AmaZulu then searched for a late consolation goal in the latter stages of the game, but Baroka stood firm at the back and they emerged 2-0 winners.

Baroka (1) 2 (Mdantsane 7', Motupa 78')
AmaZulu (0) 0

Baroka: Vries, Shaku, Mohwatseleng, Chawapihwa, Matloga, Kgoetyane, Nguzana (Soso 25' Kgaswane 68'), Banda, Mosele, Mdantsane, Ngalande (Motupa 49').

AmaZulu: Mbatha S, Sikhakhane (Nomvethe 66'), Mabiliso, Gumede M, Nyongo, Ncube, Darpoh (Ramphele 65'), Ncobeni, Karuru, Ntsundwana (Manzini 46').