Baroka succumbed to a 1-0 loss to SuperSport United, but it didn’t matter as Ajax Cape Town lost to Kaizer Chiefs to head into the PSL playoffs with Black Leopards and Jomo Cosmos.

The clash got off to a cagey start with neither side wanting to commit errors. SuperSport came close to breaking the deadlock, but Mogakolodi Ngele sliced his effort wide of the target.

Baroka were the first team to have the ball in the back of the net; however, the goal was ruled out for offside in the third minute.

SuperSport were gradually easing into their rhythm and were awarded a penalty in the 26th minute after Ngele was adjudged to have been shoved in the area. Winger Aubrey Modiba duly converted to put his side ahead.

The home side utilised their experience to keep hold of possession in the midfield, which largely frustrated the Bakgaga side. Evans Rusike came agonisingly close to doubling his side’s score, but goalkeeper Ayanda Dlamini made a fine save to keep his side at bay.

Rusike was awarded another golden opportunity to score before the half-time break, but he squandered the effort before Clayton Daniels made a brilliant last-ditch tackle to deny Baroka the equaliser moments before the break.

Baroka made the first change of the game as Rudolph Kgaswane replaced the ineffective Sipho Moeti.

The Limpopo outfit desperately tried to claw their way back into the game, but they were left frustrated by the resolute defending from the likes of Morgan Gould and Onismor Bhasera.

In a bid to see off the game, SuperSport made a defensive substitution as Teboho Mokoena came on for Ngele in the 65th minute.

SuperSport saw the remainder of the game off with relative ease as they ran out 1-0 victors.

In the other PSL fixtures:

Celtic 0-0 Downs
AmaZulu 1-0 CT City
Pirates 2-1 FSS
P. Stars 1-0 Wits
Maritzburg 1-1 Arrows
Plk City 1-1 Chippa
Ajax 1-2 Chiefs.

Photo: Backpagepix