Baroka through to Nedbank Cup quarter finals

Boroka Football Club continued their giant killing act on Sunday when they trashed Premier Soccer League (PSL) outfit Golden Arrows 2-0 during the last 16 fixture of the Nedbank Cup to advance to quarterfinals in Durban.
Baroka came into the match buoyed by their remarkable run in the National First Division (NFD) and fielded their strongest team against Arrows who mainly featured players from their reserve team.
Head Coach Kgokolo Thobejane attributed the victory to their form in the NFD and players’ desire of achieving greatness. “We want this cup, we want to take it to Ga-Mphahlele and I don’t see any team stopping us. We have a strong squad that is determined and willing to win matches. They have showed that they want to play at the top level and the performance against Arrows was out of this world and that is the standard we want to maintain,” Thobejane said.
Former Orlando Pirates midfielder, Jacky Motshekgwa converted from the penalty spot while Loyiso Simandla scored the second goal to give Baroka a major victory over Arrows.
They will join Bidvest Wits, Free State Stars, Mamelodi Sundowns, Polokwane City Football Club, Orlando Pirates and Mpumalanga Black Aces in the Cup quarterfinals draw scheduled for today (Thursday) in Johannesburg.
Baroka becomes the only team from the NFD to reach the quarterfinal of the this year’s Cup following the elimination of their divison mates Mbombela United who were defeated 3-1 by Mamelodi Sundowns Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday and knocking them out of the Cup.
The draw will be conducted by PSL General Manager of Football, Derek Blanckensee assisted by a Nedbank senior representative and a PSL official.
By the time of going to press Pretoria based teams SuperSport United and University of Pretoria were set to play each other at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Tuesday (5 April) for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Thobejane also added that they are happy to be the only team from National First Division in the quarter finals.
“It is a huge achievement for us. It shows how competitive is the league and we are happy to represent the division in the Cup,” Thobejane said.

Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert@mailbox.co.za