By HLAYISANI MAGORO
Baroka FC continued to impress in the Motsepe Foundation Championship under the stewardship of coach Dan Malesela following a 4-1 victory over NB La Masia recently. The victory was after yet another impressive 1-0 victory over table-toppers Orbit College at Olympia Park stadium before the FIFA international break.
Malesela, who was roped in by the Bakgaga hierarchy following a slow start to the season has overseen 7 matches in the dugout of the Limpopo outift. The 58-year-old mentor has been dancing in the second tier since his return to the professional level, winning 5 matches and drawing the other 2 including a 1-1 draw against his former side in Marumo Gallants. With 3 wins on the trot Baroka look set to realising their ambitions of a top flight return as they climbed up to 4th on the Motsepe Foundation Championship standings just 2 points behind league leaders Orbit College. This will strengthen the hopes and chances of an automatic promotion to the Dstv Premiership. Bakgaga will be pleased with other results in matchday 12 going their way as fellow promotion chasers JDR Stars played out to a 2-2 draw against Casric Stars at Soshanguve Giant Stadium, however Clinton Larsen’s Magesi FC eased past Northen Cape side Hungry Lions FC after a 3-1 win as they headed into the international 3rd placed on the log standings. Meanwhile Zipho Dlangalala’s Maritzburg United missed out on a chance to occupy the 2nd spot after they were held to a goalless draw by Daine Klate’s NB La Masia at Isak Steyl Stadium. Chairman Khurishi Mphahlele will be delighted with the impact the man he always dreamt of having at the club has had in a short period of time with the club on course to achieving their objectives so far. “He is going to be with us until the end of the season hopefully when we go to the Dstv Premiership. Our aim is to go to the Dstv Premeirship that’s why we have a man like Malesela here to sign with us,” Mphahlele said when introducing Malesela as the club’s new head coach at the beginning of October. “Personally I am a fan of Dan Malesela and it has been my dream to have him here one day, I have tried so many times. He knows that he can come here but we were not lucky all this time, this time around we were lucky that he is here today and I am so happy. I am sure the Baroka FC supporters in Limpopo will be happy, he brings beautiful football I am sure we will fill up the Global Stadium in our home matches with the boys we have,” he added as quoted by FARPost.
