Baroka FC overcame TS Galaxy on penalties to secure a spot in the quarter-finals of the Nedbank Cup on Sunday evening.
Result: TS Galaxy 1-1 Baroka (Baroka won 5-4 on penalties)
Date: 13 March 2022
The Rockets recalled goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi, Mlungisi Mbunjana and Ethan Brooks alongside only the second start for Paraguayan defender Carlos Leon while Bakgaga brought back shot-stopper Elvis Chipezeze, Decide Chauke and Dan Ndlovu.
The sides were enterprising in the early stages and the Rockets came close to breaking the deadlock in the 22nd minute after Orebotse Mongae spotted Chipezeze off his line with a chip from the edge of the box but the Zimbabwean goalkeeper tipped his effort over the crossbar.
Bakgaga were also threatening and they were awarded a penalty in the 32nd minute after Mbunjana brought down Thamsanqa Masiya in the box and Christopher Sekela found the bottom corner from the spot-kick.
Sead Ramovic's charges had a chance to level matters on the stroke of half-time after a telling cross by Vuyo Mere in the box but Chidi Kwem guided his header over the crossbar from close-range.
Kgoloko Thobejane's men had a bright start in the second stanza as Sekela came close to giving them a two-goal lead four minutes in with a strike in the box that produced a good save from Buthelezi towards the bottom corner.
Galaxy needed fresh legs upfront in the 65th minute, as Wayde Lekay replaced Kwem and the hosts eventually levelled matters 16 minutes before time after Sipho Maluleke headed Mongae's dangerous cross into his own net.
Baroka also bolstered their attack four minutes later as Richard Mbulu came on for Ndlovu in a tactical move and Sbonelo Ngubane nearly snatched the winner for the visitors in the dying minutes with a header in the box that missed narrowly wide and extra-time was required in the end after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
Bakgaga were defending deep in the early stages of extra-time and Aphelele Teto nearly punished them in the 19th minute of extra-time with a low strike unmarked in the box that flashed wide.
Thobejane's troops were living dangerously in the closing stages with their low block as Athenkosi Dlala had a free header in the box that was smothered by Chipezeze and there was no winner in extra-time, as penalty shootouts were required.
Baroka won the penalty shootouts 5-3 after Mbulu converted the winning spot-kick after Sihle Nduli ballooned Galaxy's second spot-kick over the crossbar.
Galaxy: 38. Buthelezi, 45. Sanoka, 43. Filipetto, 5. Msimango, 30. Mere, 6. Mbunjana, 10. Brooks, 13. Hlongwane, 44. Mongae, 47. Teto, 17. Kwem.
Subs: 32. Kolak, 19. Lekay, 28. Phohlongo, 15. Aubaas, 25. Fakude, Mahlangu, 8. Nduli, 20. Roberts, Sebelebele.
Baroka: 1. Chipezeze, 18. Shozi, 33. Farmer, 23. Ngubane, 26. Masiya, 38. Maluleke, 19. Chauke, 17. Kambala, 24. Ndhlovu, 11. Sithole, 27. Makgopa..
Subs: 32. Molefe, 3. Gebhardt, 9. Mbulu, 13. Malivha, 16. Dlala, 28. Monama, 37. Bombi.
