It’s Baroka in the finals!
Baroka FC's Matome Babeba scored a goal for his team to beat Bidvest Wits 1-0 in the semi-final of the Telkom Cup at the Peter Mokaba Sport Complex on Sunday.
LIMPOPO – Wits took the game to their opponents in the first five minutes.
It was their speedy forward, Hassim Domingo, who let them down by shooting aimlessly at the goal finish.
Their rectified their mistakes soon afterwards. Terrence Dzukamanja caused an upset after beating the offside trap and faced the stranded keeper, Elvis Chipezeze, only to lose possession at the goal finish.
Baroka’ only goal came in the 8th minute.
Matome Mabeba beat the keeper after dribbling past two defenders in a row.
Wits then tried everything within their reach in search of the equaliser, but it was not their day.
Wits started at a fast pace, with the midfielders on fire and distributing telling passes to the strikers.
They threatened to equalise in the 26th minute when Cole Alexander forced his way through the Baroka defence before passing to Buhle Mkhanazi.
His attempt missed the target by inches.
Baroka realised that Wits were all over them and abandoned their positions, packing themselves at the far back.
The referee flashed the first yellow card in the 30th minute.
Lehlohonolo Nonyane obstructed Talent Chawapiwa and the referee was lenient enough to let him go with yellow, as the nature of the offence carried the weight of a red card. The scoreboard was still 1-0 when the teams adjourned for half time.
In the second half, Wits called on Matome Kgoetyane,Letladi Madubanye and Ranga Vhavaviro to make a difference. Their replacement changed the complexion of the match, as they pressurised their opponents. Wits call on Gift Moupa and Sifiso Hlanti, their replacement, did not change the image of the match.
Baroka will join Orlando Pirates in the finals on 8 December at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, after Pirates beat rivals Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 on Saturday.
