Nedbank Cup
Result: Golden Arrows 0-2 Baroka FC
Date: 03 April 2016
Venue: Chatsworth Stadium
Baroka FC claimed another Absa Premiership scalp after their hard-earned 2-0 victory over Golden Arrows in a tightly contested Nedbank Cup fixture on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts were favourites going into the fixture, and lived up to the tag in the opening exchanges as they pushed forward and almost grabbed the lead as early as the sixth minute when a Nduduzo Sibiya strike crashed against the woodwork.
Arrows continued to dominate the opening exchanges but Mfundhisi Chauke did well to force a parried save from Ricardo Goss with a 15th minute free-kick. The minnows began to settle and started to look more and more dangerous as the half progressed.
Baroka were handed a superb opportunity to go ahead right on the stroke of half-time when Musa Bilankulu conceded a penalty after fouling Donald Mokondelela. Kenoshi Motshegwa stepped up and Ricardo Goss did well to keep the initial effort out, but the attacker was on hand to slot home the rebound to hand the NFD outfit a 1-0 half-time lead.
The Durban side came out looking determined to grab an early goal in the second stanza, and Thembela Sikhakhane had an effort at goal but Masuluke Oscarine did well to keep the ball out.
Clinton Larsen's men continued to look good, and Sikhakhane and Deon Hotto had a couple of opportunities but their efforts were unsuccessful as the Arrows started to look frustrated in their search for an equaliser.
Abafana Bes'thende were dominating play in the second stanza, but the visitors looked solid and unbothered as they kept their shape at the back.
However, Loyiso Simandla then rocked up in the 74th minute to extend the minnows' lead to 2-0 after some lovely play in the build up.
The second goal seemed to create even more frustration for the Arrows players as they continued their search for a goal. The goal would not come and Baroka held on for the 2-0 victory, sealing progression to the last eight of the Nedbank Cup.
Here is how they lined up:
Arrows: Goss, Mngwengwe, Sikhakhane, Sibisi, Bilankulu, Ngcobo, Molefe, Sibiya, Shitolo, Fikizolo, Sibeko..
Baroka: Masuluke, Ravhuhali, Nkabinde, Shaku, Mothwa, Ntsoane, Motshegwa, Simandla, Chauke, Makgaka, Mokondelela..
