You’ve seen them terrorising top flight teams in the Nedbank Cup‚ now Baroka FC will have a chance to do that week in and out next season after winning automatic promotion to the Absa Premiership at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane‚ Limpopo‚ on Sunday.

Striker Thabiso Kutumela said goodbye to the Baroka supporters in spectacular fashion‚ scoring 20 minutes from time to secure a 1-1 draw against Cape club Milano United and promotion.

It was not the perfect result for the club on the final day of the season‚ but a perfect moment for a player who has been phenomenal in Baroka’s charge for the title.

Kutumela‚ who is set to join Orlando Pirates next season‚ had his penalty saved in the 40th minute by Milano goalkeeper Lee Langeveldt‚ but he redeemed himself with a finish some Bucs supporters would have been happy with as they look forward to having a promising striker in their team.

It was Kutumela’s 18th goal of the season and one which sparked huge celebrations at this venue after they had gone down to a Mzwanele Mahashe goal in the first half.

But there’s one thing about Baroka and their coach Kgoloko Thobejane that you need to understand. They never panic‚ so they kept pushing forward until they found a chink in the Milano armour 20 minutes from time.

Thobejane‚ a man who usually wears a tracksuit on the touchline‚ wore a suit and seemed calm throughout the match as Baroka needed just a draw to realise their dream of playing in the big league with the big boys. They got the result they needed on the finest day in their short history.

What’s been impressive about Baroka this season is the way they have played without fear‚ even when they are away from home. They have done their talking both in the media and on the pitch‚ with coach Thobejane often saying they will cruise past anyone they come up against.

This may seem arrogant‚ but this is the confidence he has instilled in the team and it has worked for them the entire season.

From the fourth tier of South African football to the top‚ Baroka’s journey has been amazing. The players can look forward to a great party and some bonuses from the chairman Khurishi Mphahlele‚ who has dreamt of this moment since the day he started the team in 2007.

They need to work tirelessly to plan for the new season‚ so that they do not go back to the First Division after just one campaign.

Now the people of Ga-Mphahlele‚ a village where Baroka come from‚ can walk around proudly knowing that they have a club in the PSL.

Fans invaded the pitch when the final whistle was blown‚ which is becoming a norm in local football.