Baroka FC brushed aside Stellenbosch FC 2-0 in a Premier Soccer League (PSL) play-offs match at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday afternoon.

The win sees Bakgaga remain at the top of the play-offs standings with seven points as they edge closer to retaining their status in the PSL, while Stellenbosch stay second with two points.

Bakgaga got off to the best possible start as they broke the deadlock just two minutes into the match.

Richard Matloga played a well-taken free-kick into the Stellenbosch box and Dineo Shaku headed home to make it 1-0 to Baroka.

The home side looked dangerous every time they pushed forward and they nearly doubled their lead in the 21st minute.

But Stellenbosch goalkeeper Washington Arubi was well-positioned to make a save from Baroka midfielder Mpho Kgaswane’s set-piece.

With the haft-time break fast approaching, the visitors were awarded a free-kick in the Bakgaga half.

Stanley Muishond’s effort from a free-kick in search of Stellenbosch’s towering forward Mame Niang was cleared away by Matloga.

Bakgaga keeper Oscarine Masuluke was then called into the action and he punched away Stellenbosch midfielder Manti Mekoa’s corner-kick.

The first-half ended with Baroka leading 1-0 and Stellenbosch had to find a way to beat Masuluke in the second-half.

The home side were the better side in the opening exchanges of the second-half as they looked to double the lead.

Baroka full-back Punch Masenamela made an overlapping run just before the hour-mark and he tried to beat Arubi at the near-post, but the keeper made a low save.

Stellenbosch coach Sammy Troughton decided to make a tactical change in the 62nd minute – pulling out ineffective Niang for Cleopas Dube.

The visitors had to be cautious when pushing forward in numbers in the closing stages of the game as Bakgaga looked dangerous on the counter-attack.

However, Stellenbosch were then punished in the 83rd minute when Mduduzi Mdantsane was sent through on goal and he beat Arubi to seal Baroka’s 2-0 win.

Baroka (1) 2 (Shaku 2′, Mdantsane 83′)

Stellenbosch (0) 0

Teams:

Baroka: Masuluke, Mahashe, Kgoetyane, Shaku, Madatsane (Matlakala 95′), Madubanya, Moeti (Maleka 73′), Masenamela, Letsoalo, Matloga, Kgaswane (Mapheto 93′).

Stellenbosch: Arubi, Rowell, Lecki, Booysen (Webber 65′), Moroole, Muishond, Mabua, Mekoa, Sait, Hadebe (Adonis 43′), Niang (Dube 62′).

Sourced from the PSL website.