Mabeba steers Baroka into finals

The Baroka FC kingpin, Matome Mabeba, scored the only goal when his team beat Bidvest Wits 1-0 in the semi-final of the Telkom Cup at the Peter Mokaba Sports Complex in Polokwane on Sunday.

Wits took the game to their opponents in the first minutes. Their speedy forward, Hassim Domingo, let them down by shooting aimlessly at the goal finish.

Their diminutive kingpin, Terrence Dzukamanja, then beat the offside trap and, when facing the stranded keeper, Elvis Chipezeze, he lost possession.

The goal was scored in the eighth minute. Mabeba beat the keeper after dribbling past two defenders in a row. Wits then tried everything within their reach in search of the equaliser, but it was not their day. They threatened to equalize in the 26^th minute when Cole Alexander forced his way through the defence of Baroka before passing to Buhle Mkhanazi. His attempt missed the target by inches.

Baroka then realised that Wits were all over them and abandoned their positions and packed themselves at the far back. The referee flashed the first yellow card in the 30^th minute when Lehlohonolo Nonyane obstructed Talent Chawapiwa.

In the second half, Baroka called on Matome Kgoetyane, Letladi Madubanye and Ranga Chivavaviro to make a difference. Their replacement changed the complexion of the match, as they pressurised their opponents.

Baroka join Orlando Pirates in the final on 8 December at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium after Pirates beat Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 on Saturday.

Sport - Date: 29 November 2018

Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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