Baroka FC suffered another major setback in their bid to gain promotion when they were held to a 1-1 draw by the University of Pretoria in the relegation/promotional play-off yesterday at Global Stadium in Limpopo.
Morgan Mammila’s side were caught off-guard during the dying minutes of the first half when Delano Abrahams scored to give the visitors the lead heading to the break. Second-half substitute Ananias Gebhardt gave the home side the important equaliser in the 70th minute to secure a crucial point for his team.
The stalemate sank Bakgakga deeper to the bottom of the standings with two points following three winless matches. Their next match will be a visit to Richards Bay FC who are favourites to retain their PSL status. The clash will take place at King Zwelithini Stadium on 19 June.
The Natal Rich Boyz is currently topping the group with four points after two matches, they will have an opportunity to stretch their lead when they take on AmaTuks on Saturday 15 June. This is a match the Limpopo side will be hoping to end in a draw in order to keep their hopes of gaining promotion alive heading to the last round.
Khurishi Mphahlele who is the Baroka FC chairman said his side remains confident that they can still make it to the top-flight league despite unfavourable results.
“Everybody must play for themselves. We still have got something to play and then the one that is going to win this mini-league will go to five points and if we got five points we are still in, if we win our last match”
Mphahlele also touched on the coaching changes that occurred during the start of the playoffs where former Chippa United coach Mammila was appointed to replace Dan Malesela who had been placed on special leave following the 1-0 loss against AmaTuks in their opening match. He said he is content with the results they have been getting as they have managed to avoid defeats in their recent two matches following the change.
“Definitely, two games no loss because we put ourselves under pressure by letting Tuks beat us in the first game. If it was not that everything would be okay now, we would be on three points and then Tuks would be on two points, probably. Everything would be on our hands.” Concluded the chairman.
Written by Siphesihle Soni