Baroka FC holds Amakhosi to a draw
Baroka FC suggested there may be life left in them still after holding Kaizer Chiefs to a pulsating 2-2 Premiership draw at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday night.
The Limpopo club had to twice come from behind to claim the point and although they remain rooted to the foot of the table, the passion and commitment with which they played suggested that survival could still be possible for the Premiership rookies.
Chiefs went in front with just five minutes on the clock when Siphiwe Tshabalala slipped in Bernard Parker, whose low ball across the goal allowed an unmarked Erick Mathoho to slot the ball home from six-yards out.
Baroka, however, took just three minutes to level matters when Victor Letsoalo’s volley hit the underside of the bar and went over the goal-line before bouncing back into play; the goal correctly given.
The action didn’t let up as Baroka enjoyed a 10 minute spell when they put the Amakhosi defence under severe pressure with some dangerous balls into the box.
The Soweto side, spearheaded by Edmore Chirambadare’s pace and purpose up front wrestled back the initiative around the half hour mark and the Zimbabwean was unlucky not to score with a succession of half chances.
Chirambadare also provided a great cross for Ramahlwe Mphahlele five minutes before the break, but the latter headed over the bar from close range.
Chiefs’ persistence paid off in first half added time when they earned a penalty after Olaleng Shaku’s clumsy challenge on Tshabalala, which Parker dispatched clinically.
The second half was a more tightly contested affair; although there were a couple of moments in front of goal for both teams, there were no clean chances.
With the packed stands ensuring a highly-charged atmosphere, the stage was set for a moment of brilliance and it was accepted in some style by Mxolisi Kunene, who probably scored the goal of his lifetime after picking up the ball near the half-way line before sliding through several challenges and then slotting beyond Itumeleng Khune and into the bottom corner for a 79th minute equaliser.
Amakhosi pushed hard for a winner in the closing minutes of the game but a third goal eluded them, with a draw probably a fair reflection of a superb evening of football. The result leaves Steve Komphela’s side three points off the top of the table.