Baroka claim vital win

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Saturday Feb 23, 2019. 22:33

Baroka FC claimed a vital win in their battle against relegation from the Absa Premiership, defeating SuperSport United 2-1 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday night.

The result, secured by goals from Mduduzi Mdantsane and Thato Madigoe, takes Bakgaga up to the relative safety of 12th place, while Matsatsantsa are fifth.

The teams traded early chances, the best of which saw SuperSport’s Aubrey Modiba shoot just wide of the target from the edge of the penalty area in the 17th minute.

Midway through the first half Baroka were awarded a controversial penalty, with Siyabonga Nhlapo adjudged to have shoved Mduduzi Mdantsane in the back as he attempted to meet a cross from the right flank.

Mdantsane took on the responsibility of the spot kick himself and beat Ronwen Williams (who had saved a penalty in midweek against Orlando Pirates) to put the visitors 1-0 up in the 22nd minute.

SuperSport looked for a response through the remainder of the first half, but Baroka’s defence was able to hold firm and ensure the Limpopo side enjoyed a one-goal advantage at the interval.

However, SuperSport hit back less than two minutes into the second stanza: Dean Furman’s long pass into the penalty area was poorly dealt with by the Baroka defence and Mxolisi Machupu turned home the loose ball to make it 1-1.

And the hosts nearly claimed the lead in the 52nd minute, with Modiba first hitting the post with a shot direct from a free kick, before Baroka goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze denied Bradley Grobler in a one-one-one situation seconds later.

Williams was also called upon to make an excellent save at the other end near the hour mark, turning away a powerful shot from Ronald Chinyengetere that threatened to put Baroka back in front.

Yet the United ‘keeper was beaten in the 78th minute by a beauty from Thato Madigoe, who spotted Williams slightly off his line in the wake of a cleared corner kick and sent a long range effort into the back of the net to put the Limpopo side back in the lead at 2-1.

The superbly-executed goal proved enough to secure victory for Baroka, who will return to league action next Sunday with a derby at home to Polokwane City, while SuperSport will be away to Chippa United on the same afternoon.

SuperSport United (0) 1 (Machupu 47’)
Baroka FC (1) 2 (Mdantsane 22’ pen, Madigoe 78’)

SuperSport: Williams, Nhlapo, Kekana, Daniels, Bhasera, Rusike, Furman, Mokoena (Letsholonyane 71’), Modiba (Lebese 68’), Machupu, Grobler (Keene 78’)

Baroka: Chipezeze, Semenya, Makume, Sibiya, Mongae, Chinyengetere, Mdantsane, Madigoe, Makgaka (Kgoetyane 81’), Dickens (Makgantai 67’), Mabeba (Mapheto 90+4’)