BAROKA BEAT PIRATES TO WIN TKO
Baroka FC stunned Orlando Pirates 3-2 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in the 2018 Telkom Knockout Cup final at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.
The win saw Bakgaga clinch the Telkom Knockout title which is their maiden major cup in the club’s history.
The Buccaneers showed an attacking intent in the early stages of the game as they looked to grab an early goal.
The first chance of the game fell for ThembinkosiLorch following a mistake by the Bakgaga defence in the sixth minute.
The Pirates forward was brilliantly denied by Baroka’sZimbabwean goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze, who made a low save.
Baroka’s defence which was marshaled by experienced defender Thabiso Kutumela became solid and organised following the mistake.
The Buccaneers were forced to try their luck from distance as Vincent Pule missed the target with two long-range shots.
Pirates suffered a major blow when Marshall Munetsiwas given a straight red card after making a dangerous tackle just before halftime.
Baroka then took advantage of their numerical superiority as they took the lead on the strike of halftime.
Jemondre Dickens scored with a fine volley into the far corner to make it 1-0 to Baroka after a goalkeeping error from Pirates shot-stopper SiyabongaMpontshane.
Baroka were leading 1-0 at the interval in Port Elizabeth.
Pirates came back brimming with confidence following their halftime team team talk with Serbian coach Milutin Sredojevic.
The Soweto giants deservedly leveled matters from a well-taken free-kick 12 minutes into the second half.
Justin Shonga’s free-kick hit the upright and MusaNyatama reacted quickly, and fired home from close range to make it 1-1 much to the delight of the Pirates fans.
Pirates continued to attack in the closing stages of the game, but Chipezeze made two great saves to deny Pule and Shonga.
Chipezeze’s late saves ensured that the game ended in a 1-1 draw in regulation time and extra-time followed.
Baroka were awarded a penalty in the first-half of extra-time after Onkabetse Makgantai was fouled inside the box Mpontshane.
Mduduzi Mdantsane then stepped up and the Barokacaptain beat Mpontshane from the spot-kick to make it 2-1 to his side.
Pirates never lost hope as they pushed for the equalising goal and they managed to score in the second-half of extra-time.
Lorch netted with a header to make it 2-2 after some great work by Shonga and the goal ensured that the game ended in a 2-2 draw and a penalty shootout followed.
Baroka emerged 3-2 winners on penalties with Pirates attackers Thabiso Kutumela, Lorch and Shonga failing to score from the spot-kick.
Baroka (1) 2 (Dickens 45′, Mdantsane 98′)
Pirates (0) 2 (Nyatama 57′, Lorch 104′)
Baroka won 3-2 on penalties.
Baroka XI: Chipezeze, Mabeba (Makgaka 79′), Makume, Gebhardt, Mdantsane, Sodi (Nkausu 104′), Mosele, Chawaphiwa, Semenya, Dickens (Makgantai69′), Sibiya.
Pirates XI: Mpontshane, Jele, Munetsi, Mbekile(Qalinge 102′), Maela, Nyatama, Mlambo, Pule (Mako88′), Lorch, Shonga, Mulenga (Kutumela 102′).
