Baroka Football Club defiant despite loss

Despite suffering their third loss of the National Fist Division (NFD) at the hands of Vasco da Gama who beat them 3-1 at Parow Park Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday, Baroka Football Club is still upbeat.
The defeat left them at the top of the division, one point behind Highlands Park who played to a 1-1 draw against Moroka Swallows at Dobsonville Stadium on Saturday.
Since returning from the Fifa international break in March, the Ga Mphahlele outfit has not been playing the kind of football that their supporters are used to. Before the break they were a clear five points ahead of the pack but now only lead the second placed team with one point, a situation which could be costly should they continue their drab performance.
Technical Director Oupa Kgoadi said the division is still in their hands irrespective of the slump. “We are still in it, despite the loss and we are still number one in the division. We should have won the match but we could not convert our chances. We missed a penalty and where after they scored two goals from which we could not come back,” Kgoadi said.
He also mentioned that the loss was a result of the absence of defenders, Theresho Mmapheto and team captain Dineo Shaku who are serving suspensions. “We clearly missed them in the back line. This is a partnership that has been playing together since the beginning of the season. They left a void at the back and we are hoping for their early return,” Kgoadi said.
Baroka will face an uphill battle against Polokwane City Football Club in the quarter-final match of the Nedbank Cup at the old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday.
Kgaodi said they need to win the match in order to get back to their winning ways in the division. “I think we need this challenge right now to revive ourselves. It is not going to easy match. We respect Polokwane City but we are not scared of them, we are confident that we will win the match,” Kgoadi said.

Photo: Herbert Rachuene – Baroka Football Club Caprtain, Dineo Shaku was sorely missed during their match against Vasco da Gama.

Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert@mailbox.co.za