Baroka winning is good for game

Wow! What a surprise that was, as Baroka FC won the Telkom Knockout! I think in the final, the number one thing to say is that football was the winner.

I haven’t witnessed such an entertaining cup final in a long time. Pirates totally dominated the first half, up until they received the red card, that affected the team, and they immediately conceded minutes after. I was very impressed up until then with the way Pirates were dominating. They were protecting themselves from the counter-attack and playing most of their football in Baroka’s half.

The biggest impact point in the game was the red card, Pirates went flat and Baroka took advantage, they got a bit more confidence after they went ahead and in the second half we saw the normal Baroka, they were not forced back and were able to take the game to Pirates.

Pirates showed a lot of character to come back and fight. Micho Sredojevic tweaked the formation intelligently and that gave them the opportunity to get back in.

In extra time, with Baroka taking the lead again after Siyabonga Mpontshane conceded a penalty for the first Baroka goal, I thought that was erratic behaviour, I don’t know why he went so far off his line to win that ball.

But what a final! I thought Baroka deserved it, they were given a reprieve when Pirates went down to 10 men, but they still showed fight, confidence and attacking flair.

Young defender Vusi Sibiya did very well, as did striker Jemondre Dickens. There was a large degree of difficulty to Dickens’ goal and the composure he displayed showed he is one for the future. I can see him doing a lot going forward, as long as he remains humble and grounded. Another outstanding player was Baroka captain Mduduzi Mdantsane.

I thought referee Victor Gomes had a solid game, he dealt with the initial tackles well and consulted when he needed to, he was spot on. It was a very rash challenge from Marshall Munetsi for his red card, he didn’t need to dive in. Maybe the fact that he once played for Baroka spurred him on but it was a silly challenge.

Baroka have made giant strides and the fact that they have come up through the ranks has given them more confidence. Wedson Nyirenda is a brilliant tactician and you have to give it to him. He understood the danger Pirates possessed and also the danger Wits and Sundowns possessed in previous rounds.

Finally, with regards to Kaizer Chiefs hiring Ernst Middendorp, I think Chiefs fans are very frustrated right now.

I do think Chiefs needed this change as it looked like Giovanni Solinas was not the man for the job. I might not have worked with Middendorp but there is something about him. If you speak to any player who played under him, they enjoyed his training sessions. He might not have had the best results but he will bring structure and discipline to Chiefs.

If you look at Maritzburg United last season, that was a team inherited from Middendorp. Fadlu Davids inherited a lot of youngsters and with Fadlu, Middendorp had a big impact on the way he prepares, coaches and sees the game. There alone you have seen quality come through and hopefully Middendorp can get the same result at Chiefs.