Maritzburg United and ten-man Baroka played to a 1-1 draw in their DStv Premiership match at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Friday evening.
Maritzburg United 1-1 Baroka
While there was a good pace to the game, the opening twenty minutes saw no real chances at goal, with both teams best efforts’ being undone by off-side calls.
But Thabiso Kutumela was not going to be denied in the 25th minute, as he raced into the box to reach a cross from Daylon Claasen and blasted in past Oscarine Masuluke. His tenth of the season.
Ananias Gebhardt had a chance for Baroka five minutes later, but his attempted header from a Gerald Phiri free kick flew wide of goal.
Masuluke was in the right place at the right time to make save to deny Ryan Rae’s effort in the 32nd minute.
Evidence Makgopa had Baroka level a minute later. Makgopa, who looked off-side, pouncing off a defensive error, as the ball bounced in his path off Dusan Stevic, and he finished with a real poacher’s effort to make it 1-1.
Rae went close again in the 39th minute, but Masuluke was on hand to make another save, and it remained 1-1 at the break.
Tebogo Tlolane had a chance ten minutes into the second half, but he couldn’t keep his shot on target.
Makgopa went high and wide in the 73rd minute, as he was unable to find the target after some good work to turn and get a shot off.
Baroka were reduced to ten men when Gebhardt picked up a second yellow card for a foul on Stevic in the 83rd minute.
Baroka remain 8th for now as they move on to 28 points, while Maritzburg are now on 21 points, but remain in 13th spot.
