By Michael Madyira
Baroka FC coach Morgan Mammila is not giving up on the PSL play-offs, despite his side facing an almost impossible chance to gain promotion.
Bakgaga ba Mphahlele were held to a 1-1 draw by the University of Pretoria at home on Wednesday and remain rooted at the bottom of the table with just two points.
Richards Bay leads the standings with four points, the same as AmaTuks, leaving Baroka’s promotion bid in their hands.
The Limpopo side will now pray that Pretoria University draws at home against the Natal Rich Boyz on Saturday so that both teams can finish with five points each.
Baroka would need to beat Richards Bay next Wednesday by at least three goals to go top and earn a PSL ticket.
“I’m not giving up,” Mammila said, wearing a brave face after the draw with AmaTuks.
“I will only give up on Saturday around 5.30pm if I have to, but I don’t think so. God must just do justice to football, and we need to believe that five is possible.”
Having failed to win their last three games, Baroka is a shadow of the side that won the 2016-17 playoffs to maintain its top-flight league status.
While Bakgaga ba Mphahele is praying for an AmaTuks-Richards Bay draw, the Tshwane outfit’s coach, Tlisane Motaung, knows Saturday’s match is high-stakes.
“The home match we play against Richards Bay won’t be easy but we have to get stuck in and fight,” said Motaung.
“It’s now or never because of the situation we find ourselves in. The only thing we need is three points, and at least we have the home advantage. We have to learn from Cape Town Spurs. They got in [the PSL last season] through the playoffs as well. So we have to borrow from them.
“We believe that we can do it. We have to fight, and we have to make sure that we go in and get results in our next match at home because playing for a draw could be a big disadvantage for us.”
Victory for AmaTuks will see them go to the top of the table, but will hope that Richards Bay will beat Baroka next week.
However, a defeat for Pretoria University on Saturday will see them missing out on the PSL promotion.
Pictured above: University of Pretoria goalkeeper Edward Maova collects the ball during an attack by Baroka FC.
Source: Baroka FC
