Baroka in semi’s

Two first-half goals from Albert Mothupa and Collins Makgaka respectively were enough to ensure that Baroka FC book a place in the semifinals of the Nedbank Cup. They beat Polokwane City 2-0 at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Sunday.

The highly anticipated Limpopo derby started at a fast tempo, with both sides aiming for an early lead. City were awarded a set piece in the 25th minute and their skipper, Jabulani Maluleke, played it brilliantly into the danger area, but the NFD side dealt with the danger without pressing the panic button. Baroka came close to scoring in the 29th minute when Dumisani Ngwenya took a shot, following good interplay in the heart of the park. Goalkeeper George Chigoya was alert to safely collect the low shot.

Nine minutes before the half-time break, Albert Mothupa passed the ball to Donald Makondelela in the box, but the latter’s effort was not good enough to beat the keeper. Baroka finally grabbed the lead in the 44th minute when Mothupa was quick to pounce on a rebound after an initial header attempt by Jacky Motshegwa hit the woodwork.

The NFD title chasers increased the margin on the stroke of half time when Makondelela cut through City's players from the right flank, before setting up Makgala to slot it home. Baroka continued to dominate in the last half, but their decision making within the box was disappointing.

Baroka will meet Supersport United in the semifinal.

In the other Nedbank Cup quarterfinal matches that were also played over the past weekend, Mamelodi Sundowns lost 0-2 to Orlando Pirates at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria. Supersport United crushed Mpumalanga Black Aces 2-1 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium last Friday evening and Bidvest Wits lost 4-5 to Free State Stars at the Goble Park Stadium in Bethlehem.

Date:29 April 2016

By: Frank Mavhungu

Frank is a Human Resources Manager at the Department of Public Works in Limpopo. He is the longest serving correspondent of the Mirror, having joined us at the end of 1990.  He mainly writes sports reports and resides at Tsianda Village. In 2004, Frank won the National Castle League Award, an award for the best reporter in the SAB league in South Africa.

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