Baroka FC failed to take advantage of Swallows' slip-up on Friday as they played to an entertaining 2-2 draw against Chippa United on Saturday afternoon.
DStv Premiership
Result: Chippa United 2-2 Baroka
Date: 07 May 2022
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
It was a stop-start and scrappy start to the match with plenty of fouls committed and both sides failing to get into their rhythm.
Chippa began to get themselves on th efront foot but it was Baroka who had the first decent attempt of in the 17th minute when Christopher Sekela's arrowed free-kick towards the top right corner forced Lloyd Kazapua into decisive action after Aboubacer Sangara had handballed on the edge of his own box.
THe game began to open up more and next it was Chippa who threatened from a set-piece situation. A corner was conceded by he visitors and it was delivered into the box by Siphelele Luthuli for Sammy Seabi, whose header missed narrowly to the left.
The Chilli Boys continued to apply the pressure and were playing with plenty of width. On the half-hour mark red-hot striker Bienvenu Eva Nga headed over the bar from a cross by Zuko Mdunyelwa.
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Baroka suffered a blow shortly before half-time when striker Richard Mbulu had to leave the pitch due to injury and he was replaced by Dan Ndlovu, while Thokozani Sekotlong replaced Aboubacar Sangare in a change from Chippa at the break.
The sides traded chances as Eva Nga headed wide from Luthuli's corner before Phelelani Shozi's long range effort went wide.
Chippa opened the scoring in the 66th minute through left full-back Riaan Hanamub when Siphesihle Mkhize threaded him through on the overlap down the left-hand side of the box before Hanamub smashed the ball on his left into the roof of the net from an acute angle.
Baroka equalised in the 75th minute and it was super substitute Ndlovu, who finished also on the angle with his right foot from the left of the box.
Bakgaga completed the turnaround in the 83rd minute by taking the lead. Makgopa threaded a lovely through ball to release Decide Chauke clear on goal, who slotted the ball past the onrushing Kazapua and into the back of the net.
Jackson Mabokgwane produced one of the saves of the season in the dying minutes when he showed incredible reflexes to tip when he tipped Seabi's fierce shot over the bar.
However, it would not be enough to see his side to what would have been a crucial three points as Chauke broke the hearts of the side from Limpopo with a dramatic equaliser in the 92nd minute when Thokozani Sekotlong fired home after being assisted by Zola Matrose.
Here's how they lined up:
Chippa: 1. Kazapua, 4. Hanamub, 29. Mthethwa, 35. Pfumbidzai, 2. Mdunyelwa, 14. Mkhize, 24. Zulu, 6. Seabi, 26. Sangare, 36. Luthuli, 9. Eva Nga.
Subs: 19. Watenga, 5. Pietersen, 8. Maloisane, 12. Matrose, 17. Sekotlong, 18. Makobela, 21. Dinge, 28. Lebitso, 23. September.
Baroka: 41. Mabokgwane, 2. Mphahlele, 5. Makume, 18. Shozi, 23. Ngubane, 11. Sithole, 17. Kambala, 21. Masiya, 27. Makgopa, 29. Bobete, 9. Mbulu.
Subs: 1. Chipezeze, 7. Mokhabi, 8. Goldstone, 19. Chauke, 24. Ndhlovhu, 28. Monama, 33. Farmer.
