Kaizer Chiefs fought back to hold Baroka FC to a 1-1 draw in a 2020-21 DStv Premiership match at FNB Stadium on Tuesday evening.
As a result, the Amakhosi remain seventh on the league standings ahead of their Soweto Derby clash with Orlando Pirates on Saturday, while Bakgaga Ba Mphahlele moved up to eighth place.
Baroka were nearly gifted a goal in the 16th minute when Daniel Akpeyi parried Nhlanhla Mgaga’s long-range shot, but the Chiefs goalkeeper reacted quickly and gathered the ball before the visitors could pounce.
Chiefs’ early tactic consisted of playing crosses into the box for Samir Nurkovic and Lebogang Manyama, but Baroka keeper Oscarine Masuluke dealt well with balls which were played into his area. Reeve Frosler tried to find an unmarked Nurkovic with a cross and Masuluke came out to punch the ball away from danger six minutes before the half-hour mark.
Bakgaga Ba Mphahlele had a chance to break the deadlock in the 27th minute when an unmarked Ananias Gebhardt connected with Thamsanqa Masiya’s corner-kick. However, the Namibia international placed his header over the crossbar with Akpeyi rooted to the ground and the Amakhosi defence caught ball-watching.
It took eight minutes for Bakgaga Ba Mphahlele to break the deadlock after the break following a lapse in concentration from the Chiefs defence.
Evidence Makgopa flicked the ball into Masiya’s path and the latter fired past on-rushing Akpeyi to make it 1-0 to Baroka.
Amakhosi head coach Gavin Hunt reacted by introducing Kearyn Baccus and Leonardo Castro two minutes after the hour-mark. The Soweto giants upped the tempo with Castro narrowly missing the target with a header in the 70th minute after the Baroka defence was left exposed.
Parity was restored in the 76th minute when Frosler’s low cross was turned home by Goodman Mosele, who netted an own goal to make it 1-1.
The momentum was with Amakhosi in the closing stages of the match and Castro somehow missed the target after being afforded some space and time on the edge of the box. Masuluke then produced a comfortable save from Nurkovic’s late header and ultimately, the match ended in a 1-1 draw on the night.
Chiefs (0) 1 (Mosele og. 76′)Baroka (0) 1 (Masiya 53′)TEAMS:
Kaizer Chiefs:Akpeyi, Ngezana, Zulu, Frosler (Blom 90’+2), Mathoho (Castro 62′), Cardoso, Agay, Mashiane (Baccus 62′), Ngcobo, Manyama (Zuma 80′), Nurkovic.
Baroka FC:Masuluke, Mphahlele, Gebhardt, Makume, Farmer, Kambala, Mgaga, Mosele, Masiya (Shozi 87′), Makgopa, Monama (Mahlonoko 62′).© Backpage TXT.
SOURCED FROM THE PSL WEBSITE.
