Baroka moved up to third place in the Absa Premiership standings after claiming a 3-1 victory over SuperSport United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.
The clash at the Peter Mokaba Stadium got off to a cagey start as both sides tried to show their intent in the opening exchanges of the match.
SuperSport produced the first chance at goal in the 10th minute when Thuso Phala unleashed a strike, but was unable to find the target with his effort.
The visitors started seeing more of the ball but they struggled to penetrate the Baroka defense as the scoreline remained goalless after 20 minutes of play.
However, Baroka broke the deadlock in the 31st minute after Lucky Nguzana slotted the ball into the net with a clinical finish from close range to make it 1-0.
Phala had an opportunity to level matters with five minutes remaining in the first half, but the veteran striker was unable to guide his header towards the target.
Baroka took a 1-0 lead over SuperSport as the match went into the half-time interval.
Nguzana nearly doubled the home side’s lead three minutes into the second half when he produced a strike at goal, but the forward’s effort sailed wide of the target.
SuperSport levelled matters in the 53rd minute as Azubuike Egwuekwe found the back of the net with his headed effort from the resulting corner.
SuperSport shot-stopper Reyaad Pieterse came to his side’s rescue in the 68th minute when he made a terrific save to prevent Baroka from taking the lead.
However, the home side took the lead for the second time in the match after Letladi Madubanya scored against his former side to make it 2-1 in favour of Baroka.
Baroka then extended their lead even further when Mduduzi Mdatsane was played through on goal by Talent Chawapiwa before slotting the ball home from close range.
Coach Kgoloko Thobejane’s side held onto their 3-1 lead over SuperSport United until the final whistle to end their seven-game winless run in the Absa Premiership.
In other Absa Premiership results:
Golden Arrows 0-0 Maritzburg United
Photo: Gerald Duraan/BackpagePix
