Baroka FC have advanced into the last eight of the 2020 Nedbank Cup after defeating third-tier Hungry Lions 4-2 on penalties at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday. The match ended 2-2 after extra time.
Both teams struggled with the rainy conditions in Polokwane which made their passing games a little tricky at times.
Baroka, as the top-flight side, were expected to set the tone and dominate the game. While they enjoyed more possession, they created relatively few chances with which to test goalkeeper Clinton Davids.
As the match went on and remained scoreless, Lions gained in confidence and began to have more regular forays into the half of Bakgaga.
And they soon claimed a surprise lead, with veteran Rudiger Gilbert scoring via a shot direct from a free kick in the 35th minute – his effort deflected off Sbonelo Ngubane and wrong-footed goalkeeper Ayanda Dlamini.
It was a lead the lower league side held onto for the remainder of the first half. However, early in the second, Baroka struck back to level the game on 48 minutes: Ngubane provided a low cross from the left and Evidence Makgopa showed a deft touch to finish from a tight angle.
The goal spurred on Bakgaga, who pushed hard for a second and looked to bring the likes of Ananias Gebhardt, Gerald Phiri Jr and Rodwell Chinyengetere into the game more. Yet Lions remained resilient and disciplined in defence, ensuring the game went to an extra half hour.
Five minutes into extra time Lions reclaimed the lead, with Thulani Nkosi providing a dangerous low cross from the right flank which was put into his own net by the lunging Ethan Sampson – 2-1 to the third-tier side.
Yet again Lions’ lead was short-lived, as the 112th minute saw Baroka make it 2-2 when Manuel Kambala saw his shot from the edge of the box deflected beyond the hands of goalkeeper Davids.
The remainder of extra time saw no further chances of note, leaving the match to be decided by penalties. Baroka were faultless in their spot kick, firing home all four that they took, while Lions allowed nerves to get the better of them as they managed to convert just two of four.
Baroka FC (0) (1) 2 (Makgopa 48’, Kambala 102’)Hungry Lions (1) (1) 2 (Gilbert/Ngubane og 35’, Sampson og 95’)After extra time, Baroka won 4-2 on penalties
Baroka: Dlamini, Makume, Makgopa, Kampala, Sampson, Phiri Jr, Khwinana, Chinyengetere, Ngubane, Gebhardt, Masiya
Lions: Davids, Tau, Nkosi, Monaheng, Maritshe, Ramatlapeng, Gilbert, Nkosi, Spandeel, Arends, Rapatsinyana© Backpage TXT
SOURCED FROM THE PSL WEBSITE.
