Baroka stay put in PSL following
Baroka FC keep their Premier Soccer League status following their 1-1 draw against Black Leopards during their National First Division play-off match at a fully packed Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday.
LIMPOPO – Baroka ended in the top position with eight points from their four matches, Leopards ended second with five points and Stellenbosch occupies third (last) position in the mini league.
Before the match, Leopards went to the match with a desperate need for an additional three points and two goals, which they failed to accumulate.
Baroka finished the PSL league programme in 15th position and Highlands Park were relegated to the NFD league.
They were given another chance to play against Black Leopards and Stellenbosch.
Realising that Leopards’ dribbling wizard, Siphelele Ntshangase, was a thorn in their flesh, the defenders of Baroka tried to neutralise him with rough tackles.
The referee normalised the situation by reprimanding Victor Leotsoalo and Matome Kgoetyane with a red and yellow card respectively.
It took Bagaga only 34 minutes to open their account. Their diminutive midfielder, Victor Letsoalo, sent the Leopards keeper, Rotshidzwa Muleka, the wrong way with a ground cutter.
Leopards’s top goal scorer, Mwape Musonda, soon realised that it was not his day. He suffered the pain of watching his header hit the crossbar and bounce back into play in the 40th minute. As if that was not enough to keep the fans unsettled, Musonda’s second attempt hit the crossbar again, almost in the same spot, and landed outside the field of play for a goal kick.
The keeper of Baroka, Avhashoni Tshinuna, made his presence felt when he stretched to the limit to execute a brilliant save from Phathutshedzo Nange’s bicycle kick at the 48th minute.
Leopard’s goal came via their left back, Lebogang Mabotja, who was brought down and the referee pointed to the white spot. Siphelele Ntshangase scored easily from there.
Victor Letsoalo of Baroka was given a marching order for the second bookable offence. The remaining 10 Baroka men kept a clean sheet until the game ended.
After the match, Baroka coach, Kgoloko Thabejane, said many speculate that Baroka will be relegated but he hopes they will safely finish the play-off on a high note. “I think the excitement is gone. I enjoyed it and I’m still celebrating because when I was down there, people were laughing but we have proved them wrong. We are still in the PSL,” he said.
