POLOKWANE – Baroka FC and Polokwane City played to a 1-1 draw in an entertaining Absa Premiership match at the Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane on Saturday.
Early-season log-leaders Baroka – with stand-in coach MacDonald Makhubedu still in charge due to the club’s suspension of regular mentor Kgoloko Thobejane – took the lead in the 11th minute, when Talent Chawapiwa fired in a shot after some good build up work on the left side of the park.
His effort was partially saved by Polokwane goalkeeper George Chigova, before Robin Ngalande scored from the rebound.
Polokwane’s persistence paid off when they were awarded a penalty in the 23rd minute, after a powerful run into the Baroka penalty area, ended with his shot striking the hand of a home team defender.
Striker Rodney Ramagalela scored from the spot-kick, with his shot going down the centre of the goal and over the body of the diving Baroka goalkeeper Ayanda Dlamini.
Polokwane, desperate to get back on to the winning trail after registering four wins and a loss in their last five league games, plus an embarrassing Nedbank Cup last-32 round exit to National First Division side Ubuntu Cape Town, had sufficient chances to claim all three points.
Ramagalela could well have scored more than just his single strike, while midfielder Modli Miia will also know that he should have found the back of the net, but his powerful shot was well kept out by Dlamini in the 33rd minute.
The point obtained by either side doesn’t really help the cause of the respective clubs.