Baroka look to upset the Brazilians

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Nov 02, 2018. 15:00

Baroka FC will look for an upset win over Mamelodi Sundowns when the teams meet in a Telkom Knockout quarterfinal at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, 3 November 2018, kick-off at 15h00.

Baroka earned their place in the final eight with a 2-0 win over Golden Arrows on October 20. Collins Makgaka and Tebogo Sodi scored the goals for the Limpopo side as they made the most of home advantage.

Bakgaga are playing in just their third edition of the Telkom Knockout. Last year they eliminated Cape Town City in the last 16 before falling to Bidvest Wits in the quarterfinals, and will be hoping to avoid a similar fate when they come up against their heavyweight visitors in this clash.

Sundowns were made to work hard for their spot in the quarterfinals, as they edged Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0 at home on October 20 thanks to a goal from Gaston Sirino. Manager Pitso Mosimane later said the match was the same standard as he has experienced in the CAF Champions League.

This will be a first-ever cup meeting of Baroka and Sundowns, though the teams have clashed in four league matches since the Limpopo side’s promotion to the top flight in 2016.

In that quartet of games the Brazilians have an unbeaten record, with three wins and one draw. The Tshwane side completed a league ‘double’ over Baroka last season, winning 4-0 at home and 2-1 away.

The teams’ first league meeting in 2018/19 is scheduled for December 11.