Baroka went into the match on a back of serious allegations of corruption by their managing director Khurishi Mphahlele

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BAROKA FC's fairytale Nedbank Cup run comes full circle.

Baroka started their campaign at Peter Mokaba Stadium, it was there too they went down on penalties to Black Leopards in the semi-final yesterday.

The Limpopo minnows beat Premiership sides Moroka Swallows and Kaizer Chiefs en route to the semi-finals and were favourites to tame Leopards to freeze at the last hurdle to lose 3-1 on penalties after it ended 2-2 in extra time.

Baroka had more bums on seats but that was not enough to inspire the Ga-Mphahlele side to a win over Lidoda Duvha.

Robert Ng'ambi scored the decider, while other penalties were scored by Simphiwe Vesi and Rodney Ramagalela after Khethokwakhe Masuku missed the first penalty.

Johannes Ramatlama scored for Baroka in the penalty shootout, while Katlego Mashego, Thobane Mncwango and Khutso Mohwatseleng missed theirs.

The match started five minutes late after Leopards lodged a protest against Baroka, claiming that their player Olaleng Shaku was still suspended.

Baroka went into the match on a back of serious allegations of corruption by their managing director Khurishi Mphahlele.

Sister paper Sunday World reported yesterday that Mphahlele allegedly tried to bribe Safa referee Phuthi Maholo and tried to give Fananga Diatla FC's Tumisho Mabushulane Mphahlele R4,000 to underperform.

Yesterday's match saw Baroka opening the scoring in the 11th minute through a penalty by Thobane Mncwango after Khunadi Nkoana, who is on the wanted list of Mamelodi Sundowns and Ajax Cape Town, was fouled in the box.

Khethokwakhe Masuku leveled the score on 49 minute from a free kick that gave Baroka goalie Avhashoni Tshinuna no chance.

Baroka had the better of Leopards in the first half but their attempts were saved by goalie Azwindini Maphala who was the busiest of the two keepers.

Nkoana Mohwatseleng and Katlego Mashego had plenty of opportunities, which they failed to convert.

Leopards' Dingane Masanabo, Rodney Ramagalela and Masuku also wasted chances.

Ramagalela put Leopards in the lead in the 19th minute of extra time, but two minutes later Man of the Match Nkoana leveled to force the match into penalties.

Orlando Pirates will now meet Leopards n the final on May 28 in Nelspruit.