- 22 NOV 2020
Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila registered their first DStv Premiership win, defeating Limpopo rivals Baroka FC 1-0 at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
> > > HIGHLIGHTS from all the DStv Prem games . . .
A last-gasp Justin Shonga proved the difference between the teams. With their first victory, TTM rise to 10th place on the log. Bakgaga, who suffered their first defeat of the campaign, drop to seventh.
Tshakhuma thought they had claimed an early lead through a beautiful volleyed strike from Thabo Rakhale in the seventh minute, but the hosts’ celebrations were cut short when they saw the offside flag had been raised.
Baroka enjoyed strong spells of possession but chances were few and far between in the first half. They came close to an opener on the half hour mark when Thamsanqa Masiya pulled a ball back from the byline and Jemondre Dickens fired an effort just wide of the near post.
TTM were awarded a penalty just a couple of minutes later – with Rhulani Maznini and Lerato Lamola both going down in challenges with Oscarine Masuluke and Bonginkosi Makume respectively – but Manzini blazed the spot kick over the target.
The hosts continued to look the likelier scorers and Rakhale almost forced a goal late in the half with a burst into the penalty area from the left flank, but goalkeeper Masuluke did well to come off his line and make a brave block at the attacker’s feet. The teams were deadlocked 0-0 at half time.
Baroka made a double change at the start of the second stanza, with Richard Mbulu and debutant Kgodiso Manama rising off the bench, but it was TTM who continued to threaten and Masuluke made an awkward but effective double save to deny Lamola and Manzini in the 49th minute.
Tshakhuma played some enterprising and entertaining football, pushing Baroka very much onto the back foot, but they lacked composure and incision in the final pass or shot, often letting their opponents off the hook in promising attacks.
It appeared as if that would be the case through the remainder of the game. However, in the third minute of injury time, Nicholus Lukhubeni provided an assist for substitute Justin Shonga to fire a shot through the legs of Masuluke and hand TTM a deserved victory.
Baroka will be back in DStv Premiership action on Wednesday 25 November when they face Orlando Pirates in Soweto, while TTM will be away to Chippa United next Sunday 29 November.
Tshakhuma TM (0) 1 (Shonga 90+3’)
Baroka FC 0
TTM: Arubi, Lukhubeni, Ndengane, Ravhuhali, Nkili, Maphangule, Theron (Mnyamane 76’), Rakhale (Shonga 67’), Lamola (Ngema 90’), Manaka, Manzini (Ngele 76’)
BAROKA: Masuluke, Makume, Jampies, Shozi, Sibiya, Gebhardt (Monama 46’), Masiya, Mosele, Dicskens (Mbulu 46’), Mgaga (Phiri Jr 85’), Makgopa (Kgoetyane 69’)© Backpage TXT
SOURCED FROM THE PSL WEBSITE.
