Baroka look to bounce back against Bucs

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Sep 21, 2018. 16:00

Baroka FC will look for a return to form in the Absa Premiership when they host Orlando Pirates at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on 22 September 2018, kick-off at 15h00 CAT.

Baroka have gone four league matches without a win after they were beaten 1-0 at Chippa United on September 15. The Limpopo side’s only win this season came against Cape Town City in early August.

Bakgaga are unbeaten at home this season, with one win and two draws from their three matches as hosts. Aside from the win over City, they have also held Kaizer Chiefs and Highlands Park to 1-1 draws.

Pirates come into the game on the back of a disappointing 2-2 draw at home to Cape Town City on September 19. The Soweto giants gave away a two-goal lead and missed out on a third straight league win.

The Buccaneers have had mixed results on the road so far this season, recording two wins (against Chippa United and Black Leopards) either side of a defeat at the hands of Bloemfontein Celtic.

In head-to-head stats, Baroka and Pirates have met in four league matches since 2016/17. The Buccaneers boast an unbeaten record, with one win and three draws in the sequence. Bakgaga’s two previous home games in the rivalry have both ended in draws.

Last season Pirates took four points off Baroka, drawing 1-1 in Polokwane in the first half of the campaign before claiming a 3-1 win in the return game in Soweto, with goals from Musa Nyatama and Lovoyo Memela (two).

Baroka’s line-up from their 1-0 loss to Chippa on September 15: Chipezeze, Kgoetyane, Makume, Banda, Gebhardt (Mabeba 44’), Maliba, Mdantsane, Kgaswane, Makgaka (Patjie 44’), Chawaphiwa (Makgantai 37’), Chivaviro.

Pirates’ line-up from their 2-2 draw with City on September 19: Mpontshane, Matlaba (Shonga 84’), Nyauza, Jele, Maela, Mako, Motshwari, Mlambo, Lorch (Mntambo 76’), Pule (Memela 64’), Mulenga.