Baroka target win in play-offs

Baroka players celebrate © Backpagepix

Baroka FC will welcome Stellenbosch FC in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) promotion and relegation play-offs match at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 3pm.

Bakgaga are coming off a morale-boosting 2-1 victory over Black Leopards in their previous play-offs match in Polokwane on Wednesday.

The victory took Baroka to the top of the play-offs standings with four points from two matches. They are two points above second-placed Stellenbosch.

Another win for the Limpopo-based outfit will see them edge closer to retaining their status in the PSL - with one game left.

Bakgaga will once again look to their in-form forward Victor Letsoalo. The 24-year-old attacker grabbed a brace against Leopards in midweek.

Baroka head coach Thobejane says his side are oozing with confidence as they look to win the play-offs and remain in the top flight league.

“This win has given us morale going into the match against Stellenbosch because we also need the three points there," Thobejane said.

"We need those three points‚ especially since we are playing at home.

"If we get three points we will be on a safe side because we will see where we are going and we will be close to retaining our status.”

Meanwhile, Stellenbosch managed to hold Leopards to a goalless stalemate in their last match in the play-offs in Thohoyandou last weekend.

The draw sees the Cape Town-based side placed second on the play-offs standings with two points from two matches - with two matches remaining.

If the National First Division (NFD) outfit overcome Baroka in Limpopo, they will move to the top of the standings - with one match left for both sides.

Mame Niang, Stellenbosch's leading marksman, is the player to watch out for in the Western Cape side - having scored five goals in 10 NFD games.

Stellenbosch head coach Sammy Troughton expects a tough encounter against Baroka, but he says his charges will be ready.

"We will have to come out with more attacking intent against Baroka," Troughton said.

“I’ve told the players that, in this competition, we are going to have to be mentally strong.

"Baroka will be tough on Saturday, but we will have to be ready."

When Baroka and Stellenbosch met in the first game of the play-offs, the two sides drew 2-2 at the Athlone Stadium almost a fortnight ago.