BAROKA FC DENY MARITZBURG UNITED MAXIMUM POINTS
23 April 2021
Maritzburg United were unable to hold onto their lead and had to settle for
a 1-1 DStv Premiership draw with Baroka FC at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Friday evening.
Thabiso Kutumela scored for the KwaZulu-Natal side with Evidence Makgopa equalising for Bakgaga.
The early stages of the game were hard-fought, with both sides struggling to find space in a congested midfield.
As things progressed, United began to ask questions of the Baroka defence and Judas Moseamedi had a couple of half chances and also had the ball in the net, only for his effort to be ruled out due to what the referee deemed to be a foul on the Baroka goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke.
Maritzburg’s efforts were rewarded midway through the first half when a lovely flowing move down the right ended with Daylon Claasen pulling the ball back for Kutumela, who finished with a sublime curling effort into the top corner from 18-yards out.
United were however to find themselves back on even terms when Baroka scored with a rare attack on goal, Makgopa sweeping the ball home from close range after the ball had deflected kindly for him inside the Maritzburg box.
Maritzburg looked to reclaim the upper hand but Ryan Rae's header effort was saved by Masuluke in the 38th minute.
Following the restart, the Team of Choice had the first opportunity of the second half, the chance falling to Tebogo Tlolane after Moseamedi won a flick-on, but Tlolane fired over the bar in the 57th minute.
A few minutes later, Kutumela's free kick was pushed to safety by Masuluke.
Baroka were reduced to 10 players in the 83rd minute when Ananias Gebhardt was sent off after a second foul on Dusan Stevic.
The game remained tense up to the end, although neither team fashioned any decent chances for a winner.
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