Baroka FC’s hopes of avoiding relegation from the Absa Premiership were dealt a blow when they were beaten 3-2 at Golden Arrows on Saturday.
The match at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu, Durban, was full of excitement and controversy, with Bakgaga having a penalty ruled out late in the game to deny them what would have been a valuable point.
Abafana Bes’thende went into halftime 1-0 up thanks to a superb goal from Siphelele Magubane, who struck a screamer into the top corner five minutes from the interval.
Baroka got themselves level in the 70th minute when Victor Letsoalo punished some poor defending, but an own goal from their defender Mzwanele Mahashe six minutes later put the hosts back in front.
On 78 minutes it was 3-1 to Clinton Larsen’s men when Kuda Mahachi scored with a beautiful lob in the 78th minute.
Yet Baroka never gave up fighting and pulled another goal back when Letsoalo scored his second in the 86th, poking home from close range.
And the visitors looked set to earn a fighting point when they were awarded a debatable penalty. The spot kick was converted, but referee Victor Gomes ruled it out for encroachment by a Baroka player into the area.
According to the rules, the spot kick should have been retaken, but Gomes bizarrely gave Arrows an indirect free kick, hence their vehement protestations at the final whistle.
