Baroka FC whip befuddled birds

AFTER eliminating Moroka Swallows in the Nedbank Cup yesterday, Baroka FC are ready to meet any team in the quarterfinals of the prized tournament.

"We did not choose to play against Swallows in the last-16 stage of this tournament but they came through the hat and we can't decide who we should play in the quarterfinals because they will be decided in the same fashion," said Baroka FC mentor Sello "Skorokoro" Chokoe yesterday.

The youthful but highly regarded trainer proved his technical and tactical savvy when he steered his underrated Vodacom League club to a 2-1 success over an experienced Swallows side scrapping for their lives in the Premiership.

The GaMphahlele side did not only outmanoeuvre a somewhat befuddled Dube Birds side on the pitch but their supporters also outnumbered those of Swallows in the stands.

The two sides went into the interval level-pegging without a goal but Baroka should have scored at least two goals in the first half had Thobani Mncwango and Msimeli "Makhokhoba" Baloyi not fluffed gilt-edged scoring chances.

The home side continued to take the match to Swallows in the second stanza and were rewarded for their efforts when Amabinneplaas skipper and the namesake of Orlando Pirates forward Katlego Mashego beat an offside trap to score past goalkeeper Aubrey Mathibe in the 48th minute.

But Swallows striker Auguston Leonard was on hand to level matters in the 73rd minute with a powerful shot that gave goalie Avhashoni Tshinuna no chance.

However, it took just six minutes for Baroka to secure the clincher through substitute Mashilo Moremi, who struck from outside the box to send their supporters into raptures at this swanky World Cup venue.

Swallows coach Gordon Igesund said he used the encounter to give youngsters an opportunity to play in a competitive match.

"I have an important league match on Wednesday (against Orlando Pirates) and I couldn't use some of the regular players for today's match," Igesund said. "Our focus is on the league and I need all key players in our remaining matches to help us avoid relegation."

The likes of Lefa Tsutsulupa, MacBeth Sibaya, Siyabonga Nomvethe and Vuyo Mere were not considered for this match. Baroka's Khunadi Nkoana had a storming match and it was not surprising when he was voted man of the match.

• Mpumalanga Black Aces shrugged off their Premiership relegation worries to beat neighbours Witbank Spurs 4-3 at Puma Stadium yesterday. Once more it was the in-form Mpho "Zico" Maleka who ensured AmaZayoni reached the quarterfinals after scoring three goals.

The fourth was scored by Marawaan Bantam.