Mbulu’s goal sees Baroka upset Amazulu

Baroka pulled off a much-needed 1-0 win over fancied Amazulu in their exciting Dstv Premiership encounter at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

With this result, Usuthu saw their highly impressive 16match unbeaten run come to an abrupt end while Baroka have significantly boosted their chances of ending the season in the top eight.

This defeat possibly also ended Amazulu’s outside chances of upsetting Mamelodi Sundowns, who have a game in hand and a seven-point advantage at the top of the log, to the league title.

Amazulu coach Benni Mccarthy, who has transformed this Usuthu side since he joined in December, will expect a hugely improved performance in their next league outing against Orlando Pirates on May 26.

Baroka have a short turnaround as their next outing is the Limpopo derby against newly crowned Nedbank Cup champions Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) on Wednesday next week.

Baroka opened the scoring in style through Richard Mbulu who controlled the ball he had received from Evidence Makgopa on the edge of the box before he rifled home a beautiful curling shot, that gave Veli Mothwa no chance after 37 minutes.

It was the seventh goal of the season for the enterprising Mbulu who was a constant thorn in the side for the Amazulu defence which was marshaled by Thapelo Xoki and Mbongeni Gumede.

Meanwhile, Stellenbosch FC paid for missing a procession of missed clear chances in the opening hour, having to settle for a 0-0 draw against a disturbingly lacklustre Orlando Pirates at the Danie Craven Stadium on Tuesday.

Such performances could well contribute to Bucs’ management questioning coach Joseph Zinnbauer’s future at the club into next season.

Bucs, with big off-season signings to an already strong combination, were supposed to challenge Mamelodi Sundowns for the league.

Instead, with Amazulu losing 1-0 against Baroka FC in Durban, Downs seem set to wrap up the title with games to spare, and Pirates’ sluggish form hardly seems to guarantee them even a third place, as they sat in fourth by the end of Tuesday’s play.

Bucs have the MTN8 trophy in 2020-2021, ending a six-year-drought, and are into the Caf Confederation Cup quarterfinals. But their league campaign continues to be a mixed bag into the final straight.

Steve Barker’s ambitious Stellenbosch are no slouches, and especially tough to meet in the Winelands.