Absa Premiership
Result: Baroka FC 2-1 Free State Stars
Date: 11 April 2017
Venue: New Peter Mokaba Stadium
Baroka FC moved off the bottom of the Absa Premiership table, after recording a 2-1 win over Free State Stars on Tuesday evening.
The first real opening after 26 minutes as Stars' Nhlanhla Vilakaz's effort from distance sailed wide of Oscar Masuluke's upright.
Baroka eventually broke the deadlock in the 40th minute as Maboka Matlakala scored for the second straight league game, after being set up by Punch Masenamela.
That proved to be the only real bit of goal-mouth action in the opening 45 minutes, as the home side went into the break leading.
Stars nearly leveled matters in the 51st minute but Oscarine Masuluke produced a finger-tip save to keep out Thamsanqa Teyise's effort.
Baroka, meanwhile, opted for a change moments later, as Marshall Munetsi replaced Victor Letsoalo.
Stars eventually leveled the matches in the 59th minute courtesy of a strike from Goodman Dlamini, 1-1.
However, the hosts restored their lead in the 65th minute as Matlakala grabbed his second by heading home Richard Matloga's cross, 2-1.
The home side opted for a change in the 80th minute as Matloga made way for Jose Garcia, as they look to see out the closing stages.
Stars pushed for an equalising goal in the closing stages, with Dlamini going closest, however they failed to break the Baroka defence, as the hosts held on for three vital points.
Here's how they lined up:
Baroka: 30. Masuluke, 49. Mapetho, 12. Matloga (Garcia 80'), 6. Shaku, 46. Madubanya, 3. Mahashe, 28. Letsoalo (Munetsi 51'), 2. Masenamela, 35. Zikalala, 36. Kunene.
Stars: 32. Ngobeni, 19. Mbhele, 24. Thlone, 35. Teyise, 44. Mahamutsa, 50. Vilakazi, 11. Jantjie, 26. Dlamini, 5. Masehe, 23. Sekola, 38. Anas (Maphakisa 82').
