Premier congratulates Baroka on reaching finals

Premier Stan Mathabatha has hailed Baroka Football Club for beating Bidvest Wits Football Club 1-0 during the semi-finals of the Telkom Knockout to book a place in the finals of the competition. They will face Orlando Pirates Football Club on 8 December at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Former Mbombela and Highlands Park Football Club defender, Matome Mabeba scored a superb free-kick in the eighth minute of the first half to give his team their victory at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday.
Baroka will be hoping to clinch their first maiden cup since their establishment in 2007.
In a press statement released by the Office of the Premier on Monday, Mathabatha was quoted to have said: “We are ecstatic and fully support our boys. We have no doubt that the cup will come to Limpopo.”
The Premier also urged soccer lovers in the province to travel to Nelson Mandela Bay for the final match. “We know how our people love soccer and especially their home team. We are all going to watch Baroka in the finals. If it means all five million people of Limpopo at the stadium, let it be.”
MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Thandi Moraka praised fans for rallying behind Baroka during the semi-final match. “We wish to congratulate Bakgaga on reaching the Telkom Finals by walloping the defending champions. The people of our province deserve praise for their unfailing support and presence. Their numbers in the stadium inspired our own team to outgun their opponent.”
“Let us all be mobilised again to rally behind Bakgaga as they march towards the last hurdle for the ultimate price. This victory will inspire the other two Premier Soccer League teams in our province to emulate Baroka.”
Moraka added that she is confident that the team will bring back the Telkom Knockout Cup to the province. “The boys are playing well and they need to be supported, especially when playing against so-called giants. Once more we are going to prove that we are giant killers. I have had watched their game against Pirates and Chiefs and I am convinced that Baroka Football Club would mete out punishment against Pirates. Nothing should scare our players. In fact, all teams constitute of eleven players,” concluded Moraka.

Story and photo: Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert.observer@gmail.com