Result: Baroka 2-0 Black Leopards
Date: 06 March 2020
Venue: Peter Mokaba Stadium
Baroka FC boosted their hopes of survival in the Absa Premiership with a 2-0 win over Limpopo rivals Black Leopards on Saturday afternoon
Bakgaga handed starts to Matome Kgoetyane, Tshidiso Patjie and Phelelani Shozi ans Nhlanhla Mgaga. Meanwhile, Leopards reaclled Pentjie Zulu, Chris Katjiukua and Robert Ng'ambi after last week's loss to Polokwane City.
After quiet opening, Lidoda Duvha came the closest to snatching the lead in the 22nd minute after Mwape Musonda went through on goal but Bakgaga shot-stopper Elvis Chipezeze made double save to deny the Zambian striker.
Dylan Kerr's charges almost fell behind with seven minutes left of the first stanza after Denwin Farmer sent a cross that looped over Chipezeze and came off the upright.
The hosts broke the deadlock with five minutes left of the first stanza after Evidence Makgopa took the ball away from Katjiukua, raced clear and fired a low shot to the gaping net.
Lidoda Duvha were on the front foot in the early stages of the second stanza and Lesedi Kapinga almost levelled matters with a strike from just outside the box that missed slightly over the bar.
Alan Clark was desperate for the equaliser as he made a double change with 20 minutes left, with Kapinga making way for Thobani Mncwango while Tshwarelo Bereng came on for Ng'ambi.
However, Leopards made another costly error with 11 minutes left, as Muleka came off of his line and misjudged the flight of a long ball, allowing Makgopa to intercept and fire intoo an empty net once again for his brace.
Lidoda Duvha were vulnerable to counter-attacks in the closing minutes, as Baroka were absorbing the pressure and racing forward on the break but Kerr's troops did enough claim three points in the end.
Baroka: 1. Chipezeze, 33. Farmer, 2. Kgoetyane, 17. Kambala, 43. Sampson, 27. Makgopa, 14. Mosele, 42. Mgaga, 20. Patjie, 3. Gebhardt, 18. Shozi
Subs: 30. Dlamini, 46. Mahangwahaya, 45. Molewa, 11. Selemela, 9. Mbulu, 12. Makgaka, 5. Makume
Leopards: 32. Muleka, 6. Mudau, 13. Zulu, 29. Masia, 33. Katjiuka, 5. Abubakar, 27. Ng'ambi, 8. Matlaba, 11. Musonda, 20. Ngele, 12. Kapinga
Subs: 16. Makinita, Douhadji, 19. Mcwango, 25. Mokoena, 15. Bereng, 20. Phala, Hlongwane.
