Timmy T Maranda
Over the years, Baroka FC have been Kaizer Chiefs’ bogey team, and they continued to inflict pain on Amakhosi as Evidence Makgopa’s late strike denied Chiefs a win on Thursday.
Kaizer Chiefs and Baroka FC shared the spoils following a 1-1 all draw in the DSTV Premiership match at Peter Mokaba Stadium.
The Limpopo side also dramatically denied Amakhosi a title last year in the final match of the season. They beat Chiefs and thus handed the title to Mamelodi Sundowns.
Even during their amateur days, Baroka always gave mighty Amakhosi problems and they have continued to pour more misery on them in top-flight football.
In Thursday’s game, Kaizer Chiefs were denied what looked like a clear penalty early in the first half. Samir Nurkovic was seemingly fouled in the box but the referee waved play-on.
Bakgaga ba Mphahlele enjoyed the majority of ball possession in the first half, but the score remained goalless going into the break.
Lebogang Manyama broke the deadlock for Amakhosi in the 58th minute, after dribbling past the Baroka Keeper Ocarine Masuluke for an opener.
Itumeleng Khune pulled off a great save from a free kick just outside the box to deny substitute Tshidiso Patjie an equaliser.
However, in the 81st minute, Itumeleng Khune could only watch as Evidence Makgopa equalized for Baroka FC with a low shot from a pinpoint cross by Joslin Kamatuka.
As they had done in the fixture’s first round at the FNB Stadium, both teams settled for a draw and shared the points. Then, Thami Masiya scored for Baroka while Goodman Mosele levelled the score with an own goal.
Chiefs Coach Gavin Hunt bemoans the officiating which first denied them two penalties against Stellenbosch and now one penalty against Baroka.
“If we get that penalty in the first half, it helps you and we have not been getting this decision,” the manager said.
“It’s now two or three games in a row and it’s blatant, I mean it’s so disappointing because it gives a little bit of momentum.” he added.
Picture source : @kaizerChiefs
