Hoping to Baroka the Pirates’ boat
● Limpopo side can make history in Knockout final
Baroka are on the verge of making history by winning their first-ever piece of silverware in the Telkom Knockout final this weekend.
But the Limpopo side face a sizeable hurdle in getting past Soweto giants Orlando Pirates when they do battle at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday (6pm).
Baroka, who go into the game as underdogs, say they have prepared well for the onsong Pirates, who no doubt will be on the attack come Saturday.
So what do Bakgaga have up their sleeve?
“We have to work as a unit and if we are going to start segregating sections [of our play] we are not going to stop whatever has been said about Pirates,” Baroka assistant coach Bushy Moloi said.
“We are able to [beat Pirates] when we are united like we have been.
“We are able to display our abilities and talent because we are a solid team.
“This is the first time we are playing in the final, so it is also our learning curve moving forward because if we win on Saturday we go into Africa.
“That actually motivates us a lot to do more for the country. We will be able to stop Pirates with all their cylinders if we work as a unit,” he said.
Baroka have not conceded a goal in all three of their TKO games and having a solid defence should bring some comfort to the young team.
Moloi said a win on Saturday would be a big bonus, not only for the club, but also for the people of Limpopo.
“We have been trying a lot of combinations and in the process we have been hurt and currently we are moving towards the right direction while learning. It will be a bonus for our players and a very good one for Limpopo.
“Those who are scattered around from Gauteng, PE and stuff, it will be an exciting thing for them to have a team that has done so well up until today and also winning the cup.
“For me and the team it will be a wonderful step and thanks for the opportunity that Telkom has given to all the teams to display their talent and also to promote football in SA,” Moloi said.
The coach said the club’s chair was a serious man and a community builder.
“So we want to do this for the chairman and also for the people of Limpopo.
“We will be happy if we win but we still have other things to worry about.”
Moloi was referring to the fact that the PSL will continue next week regardless of the result on Saturday.
“We still need to play Sundowns on Tuesday and we need to be prepared.
“We still have to play Wits, we still need to be prepared.
“We can’t be excited immediately after winning. We still have some serious hurdles.
“This type of process really needs solid and mentally strong players.”