On a thrilling Tuesday at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, Mpho Kgaswane stepped up in style, netting two superb goals to deliver Baroka an impressive 2-0 triumph over Cape Town City.
Despite dominating most of the play and creating several chances, Cape Town City’s profligacy in front of goal cost them dearly, as Kgaswane’s clinical strikes in both halves sealed the victory for Macdonald Makhubedu’s side.
Match Highlights
Coming into the game, City had yet to find the net within the first 15 minutes of any Premiership match this season. That almost changed early when Judas Mosemaedi rattled the woodwork just two minutes in.
Thamsanqa Mkhize’s exquisite through ball found Mosemaedi clear on goal, but despite a strong stretch, he struck the left post, narrowly missing out.
Baroka’s attacking efforts were largely long-range attempts, including Mduduzi Mdatsane’s high effort in the 17th minute, but Cape Town’s defence, marshalled expertly by Benni McCarthy’s men, contained most threats.
Lyle Lakay posed a significant danger as well, combining well with Mosemaedi, but his shot was deflected wide from distance.
Baroka keeper Ayanda Dlamini displayed sharp reflexes, tipping a diverted Lakay shot around the 26th minute, while Thabo Nodada volleyed just wide shortly after from 20 yards.
Mosemaedi squandered another promising chance on 33 minutes, missing the target from a slick Lakay pass inside the box.
The deadlock was finally broken on 35 minutes thanks to a clever free-kick routine by Kgaswane that caught Cape Town’s defence off guard. He expertly fired the ball past Shu-Aib Walters into the right corner.
In stoppage time of the first half, Gift Motupa missed an opportunity to extend the lead with an effort that went sky-high.
Early in the second half, Craig Martin had a golden chance to level but blazed wide when well placed inside the box.
Kgaswane nearly doubled his tally on 61 minutes with an ambitious effort from distance that went just wide.
Cape Town continued to press but failed to convert, with Mosemaedi and substitute Shane Roberts both missing their respective chances.
In the dying moments, Baroka countered sharply. Talent Chawapiwa’s clever pass allowed Mdatsane to dummy, setting Kgaswane free to hammer home a fantastic 25-yard strike in the 90th minute, sealing the win.
Final Score: Baroka FC 2 – 0 Cape Town City
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