Baroka shock in semifinals

Baroka FC reached their first cup final yesterday, pulling off another shock as they edged out Bidvest Wits 1-0 in the Telkom Knockout semifinals.

Bakgaga will now take on Orlando Pirates at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on December 8, after a tenacious display, hanging on to a lead from the eighth minute, when a superb free kick from Matome Mabeba (below) put Wedson Nyirenda’s side in front.

It is a third-straight clean sheet for Bakgaga en route to the final and the second powerhouse they have eliminated at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, after beating Mamelodi Sundowns in the quarterfinals.

Wits had some good chances to equalise, but were a bit off the pace and Gavin Hunt’s side have hit a worrying slump after a good start to the campaign.

Hunt was forced to shuffle his defence. Robyn Johannes is out suspended, so Thulani Hlatshwayo returned to partner Buhle Mkhwanazi.

Surprisingly, Hunt also rested left-back Sifiso Hlanti, with Lehlohonolo Nonyane getting a rare start.

Baroka, for their part, stuck with the same side that beat Golden Arrows and they got off to a fast start.

Mkhwanazi was shown a yellow card by referee Victor Hlungwani for a deliberate handball on the edge of the area and Mabeba stepped up and drilled a brilliant free kick that Darren Keet could only help into the net.

Wits were almost equalised immediately, but Elvis Chipezeze was alert to make a fine save from Cole Alexander’s header.

Mostly, however, Hunt’s side were poor in the opening half, struggling to string passes together, with Hunt cutting a frustrated figure on the touchline.

Neither scored in the second half, though not for lack of trying.

Also see Page 28