Despite Oscarine Masuluke’s howlers‚ Baroka FC beat Black Leopards 2-1 at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday to take control of the promotional play-offs.
Bakgaga‚ who finished 15th in the Premier Division‚ sit at the summit with four points after the halfway mark.
Stellenbosch FC are second with two points while Leopards languish at the bottom with just one point after two rounds.
Lidoda Duvha came into this match confident‚ pushed by their unbeaten run against Baroka in competitive matches and their dominance over Stellenbosch in their first game of the play-offs.
But Baroka flipped the script and stunned their neighbours to put themselves in a comfortable position in their battle for survival.
Leopards almost stole a point thanks to Masuluke’s butter fingers. The gangly goalkeeper’s porous hands allowed Mziwokuthula Zimu to score an easy goal‚ a simple tap-in from an open net.
Moments later Masuluke fluffed another routine save but quickly regrouped as there was no challenge from Leopards' attackers.
His own fans turned against him‚ forcing the goalkeeper to win them over once again like he did with his famous bicycle kick goal against Orlando Pirates.
That anger was contained because Baroka got the result they needed in their first home match of the play-offs.
Baroka took the lead in controversial fashion.
Sipho Moeti’s trailing knee knocked out Leopards’ goalkeeper Rotshidzwa Muleka. Instead of instantly stopping the match‚ the referee allowed play to continue.
Baroka took advantage of the situation. Moeti played the ball back to Victor Letsoala who chipped it over Tshivhavhudzi Ndou and Jean Munganga‚ much to the frustration of Lidoda Duvha who stormed the referee.
But their protests were waved off while Muleka sprawled on the floor.
That was a double blow for Leopards. They not only trailed but also lost a goalkeeper after the incident.
Muleka‚ who sustained a slight concussion‚ was replaced by Aubrey Mathibe.
The experienced Mathibe‚ who also doubles as Leopards’ goalkeeper coach‚ was also beaten by Letsoala.
But there was no controversy with this goal‚ just pure class. Matome Kgoetyane twisted and turned Leopards’ defence before whipping an inviting cross that Letsoala headed past Mathibe to complete his brace.
Leopards hardly lost their composure even when they were 2-0 down. They calmly sprayed the ball around with their captain Siphelele Ntshangase dictating terms.
Baroka’s fragile defence stood resolute‚ defending in numbers whenever they lost the ball.
Bakgaga were seemingly unaffected by the boardroom drama that saw co-coach Milton Dlamini suspended on the eve of this match.
They will look to ensure it’s still the case on Saturday when they host Stellenbosch at Peter Mokaba Stadium before going to Thohoyandou for their last match against Leopards on June 17. - TMG Digital/TMG Sport
Baroka take control of the promotional play-offs after beating Leopards 2-1
Despite Oscarine Masuluke’s howlers‚ Baroka FC beat Black Leopards 2-1 at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday to take control of the promotional play-offs.
Bakgaga‚ who finished 15th in the Premier Division‚ sit at the summit with four points after the halfway mark.
Stellenbosch FC are second with two points while Leopards languish at the bottom with just one point after two rounds.
Lidoda Duvha came into this match confident‚ pushed by their unbeaten run against Baroka in competitive matches and their dominance over Stellenbosch in their first game of the play-offs.
But Baroka flipped the script and stunned their neighbours to put themselves in a comfortable position in their battle for survival.
Leopards almost stole a point thanks to Masuluke’s butter fingers. The gangly goalkeeper’s porous hands allowed Mziwokuthula Zimu to score an easy goal‚ a simple tap-in from an open net.
Moments later Masuluke fluffed another routine save but quickly regrouped as there was no challenge from Leopards' attackers.
His own fans turned against him‚ forcing the goalkeeper to win them over once again like he did with his famous bicycle kick goal against Orlando Pirates.
That anger was contained because Baroka got the result they needed in their first home match of the play-offs.
Baroka took the lead in controversial fashion.
Sipho Moeti’s trailing knee knocked out Leopards’ goalkeeper Rotshidzwa Muleka. Instead of instantly stopping the match‚ the referee allowed play to continue.
Baroka took advantage of the situation. Moeti played the ball back to Victor Letsoala who chipped it over Tshivhavhudzi Ndou and Jean Munganga‚ much to the frustration of Lidoda Duvha who stormed the referee.
But their protests were waved off while Muleka sprawled on the floor.
That was a double blow for Leopards. They not only trailed but also lost a goalkeeper after the incident.
Muleka‚ who sustained a slight concussion‚ was replaced by Aubrey Mathibe.
The experienced Mathibe‚ who also doubles as Leopards’ goalkeeper coach‚ was also beaten by Letsoala.
But there was no controversy with this goal‚ just pure class. Matome Kgoetyane twisted and turned Leopards’ defence before whipping an inviting cross that Letsoala headed past Mathibe to complete his brace.
Leopards hardly lost their composure even when they were 2-0 down. They calmly sprayed the ball around with their captain Siphelele Ntshangase dictating terms.
Baroka’s fragile defence stood resolute‚ defending in numbers whenever they lost the ball.
Bakgaga were seemingly unaffected by the boardroom drama that saw co-coach Milton Dlamini suspended on the eve of this match.
They will look to ensure it’s still the case on Saturday when they host Stellenbosch at Peter Mokaba Stadium before going to Thohoyandou for their last match against Leopards on June 17. - TMG Digital/TMG Sport
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