Baroka FC beat Chippa United 1-0 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Tuesday to end their winless run in the 2020-21 DStv Premiership season and subsequently add to their hosts’ growing list of concerns in the league.
Victory, a first in six matches, moved Bakgaga up to eighth on the league standings while defeat for the Chilli Boys extended their winless run to 10 matches and leaves the Nedbank Cup finalists in 15th spot and two points from safety.
Chippa threatened early through Gregory Damons who burst into space in behind the Baroka defensive line, but Denwin Farmer reacted sharply and proceeded to make a timely block in the 11th minute.
Both teams showed intent to throw bodies forward in search of the opening goal and this allowed Bienvenu Eva Nga time and space on the edge of the area. The burly forward let fly with a rasping effort in the 24th minute, but Oscarine Masuluke got down well to make a comfortable save.
At the other end of the pitch, Kgodiso Monama found himself with only the goalkeeper to beat in the 35th minute but Rashid Watenga made a good save to deny Bakgaga the opener.
Things can change quickly in football and that was the case for Watenga as six minutes after making a top save, the Ugandan shot-stopper coughed up possession – passing the ball straight at Goodman Mosele who made no mistake with the goal at his mercy.
Chippa pushed forward in search of the equaliser after the break with Damons the main protagonist. The full-back was lively throughout in a more advanced role and the ball fell favourably for him from a corner-kick, but he could only succeed in finding the side netting in the 73rd minute.
The Chilli Boys piled on the pressure and came even closer in the sixth minute of stoppage-time but Frederic Nsabiyumva watched his towering header fly inches wide of goal as Baroka held on for all three points.
Chippa United (0) 0
Baroka FC (1) 1 (Mosele 41′)
Chippa United: Watenga; Hanuman, Nsabiyumva, Mthethwa, Mobbie (Lebitso 90+1′), Sangweni (Sibeko 76′), Phewa (Laffor 76′), Damons, Mokhele (Jodwana 59′), Kwem, Eva Nga (Lentjies 46′).
Baroka FC: Masuluke; Farmer, Sibiya (Kamatuka 14′), Makume, Mphahlele, Monama (Mgaga 71′), Mosele, Gebhardt, Mbulu (Mogale 71′), Phiri Jr (Seema 85′), Makgopa.©
SOURCED FROM THE PSL WEBSITE.
