Gift Motupa's penalty hands Baroka a point

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Friday Mar 02, 2018. 22:21

Gift Motupa's penalty ensured Baroka FC settled for a point as they drew 1-1 against Bidvest Wits in an Absa Premiership match on Friday night at Bidvest Stadium.

The point gained from this encounter sees the Limpopo side placed at number six on the log table with 32 points from 24 games.

The hosts started on a high and in the 11th minute Baroka succumbed from pressure when Sifiso Myeni bagged a goal for the Clever Boys following a cross from skipper Thulani Hlatshwayo, 1-0.

The visitors had a fair share of the possession after that and Darren Keet was forced to make a save to deny Gift Motupa on the rebound in the 29th minute.

Bakgaga Ba Mphahlele received a penalty in the 40th minute when Daylon Claasen committed a dangerous foul inside the box.

Motupa converted from the spot to make it 1-1 at the break.

Drama would ensue in the second half when Abendego Mosiatlhaga did well to beat the Ayanda Dlamini in the 64th minute, but was brought down in the area and no penalty was given. A goalmouth scramble followed and Wits did manage to put the ball in the back of the net, but the goal was disallowed for off-sides.

With three minutes to full time Mosiatlhaga’s brilliant play saw him picking out substitute Eleazar Rodgers in the area, but the striker’s shot was deflected inches wide for a corner.

The match ended 1-1 and sees the reigning league champions remain unbeaten in the league since the second round as they sit at number eight on the log with 29 points from 23 matches.

Bidvest Wits: (1) 1 (Myeni 11’)
Baroka FC: (1) 1 (Motupa 41’)

Bidvest Wits: Keet, Allie, Hlatshwayo, Mkhwanazi, Hlanti, Gyimah, Myeni, Classen (Alexander 57’), Majoro (Rodgers 80’), Mosiatlhaga, Pule (Mncwango 46’)

Baroka FC: Dalmini, Banda, Chawapiwa (Sodi 88’), Kgaswane.Kgoetyane, Madubanya, Mdatsane, Mohwatseleng, Mothupa, Motupa (Mapheto 90’), Ngalande (Mosele 79’)