Baroka go down, Chippa and Galaxy survive

BAROKA were relegated after losing 1-0 against Maritzburg United at the Harry Gwala Stadium yesterday.

Maritzburg United skipper Clayton Daniels put his side ahead 10 minutes into the second half. The 35-year-old got himself into a good position after a ball was dinked into the Baroka box and showed good composure to slot it into the net.

Baroka started the game playing attacking football and creating chances but failed in the final third.

Experienced goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane rescued Baroka in the first half. Keegan Ritchie floated in a cross to Friday Samu but the attacker failed to connect well with the ball.

Samu found the back of the net after 40 minutes but it was discounted as he was penalised for being offside.

Early in the second half a cross from Ritchie found Tawanda Macheke whose effort struck the upright.

A minute later Baroka’s Sbonelo Ngubane’s shot from range rattle the post.

Players from Baroka FC with international caps such as Evidence Makgopa will now have to evaluate their futures if they want to continue getting selected for international duty.

Maritzburg still have one remaining fixture, next Tuesday against Orlando Pirates at the Orlando Stadium. Ernst Middendorp’s side have avoided relegation and the game against Pirates is essentially a dead rubber for them.

Meanwhile, TS Galaxy ensured they would be playing in the Dstv Premiership again next season after clinching a 1-0 win over Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Sead Ramovic’s side came into the final game of the season needing victory to avoid any relegation concerns and Spiwe Msimango’s stoppage-time winner secured their stay in the top flight.

The Rockets finished the campaign four points clear of the bottom two in 13th place, one ahead of the Chilli Boys, who came close to staring at the relegation play-offs themselves, only to escape that scenario after Kaizer Chiefs scored a late equaliser to draw 2-2 against Swallows.

At Limpopo’s Peter Mokaba Stadium, Marumo Gallants and Sekhukhune United drew 2-2 while Durban games involving Golden Arrows against Amazulu and Royal AM against Mamelodi Sundowns were postponed due to waterlogged pitches following heavy downpours in the greater Durban area.