Baroka FC’s promotion to the PSL last May seems like a lifetime away as their fairytale ascension to the topflight is in danger of crashing down after only one season.
Twenty matches into their maiden PSL campaign‚ Baroka are stranded at the foot of the standings with only two wins and they face a mountain to climb to avoid the guillotine in their remaining outings of the season.
First on their survival mission is a daunting clash against Kaizer Chiefs at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday in a game captain Olaleng Shaku conceded they will be desperate to win.
“We have to be brave and approach all our remaining matches with the mindset of going all out for maximum points‚” Shaku said.
“At the beginning of the season‚ there were matches were we could settle for draws‚ especially away from home‚ but we don’t have that luxury anymore.
“We will be in more trouble if we drop and teams above us collect points.”
While Baroka are in a desperate battle to save the club‚ Amakhosi are sitting fourth on the log and they are among the contenders for the title together with Bidvest Wits‚ Cape Town City‚ SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Asked what has been their Achilles heel this season‚ Shaku said they have been conceding far too many goals while at the same time failing to convert their chances in the opposite end of the pitch.
“Our biggest problem has been that we concede a lot of goals and we don’t score.
“It is a problem that we identified a long time ago but we just can’t get it right.
“Everyday we are working very hard training to correct the mistakes and the spirit among the guys is very good.
“I hope that they will show the same hunger they are showing at training during matches.
“Chiefs have not beaten us in an official match before and hopefully that will be more motivation.
“I know it is history that counts for nothing or little but we can use it to get the better of them‚” he said‚ adding that the players must take responsibility for the situation that the club finds itself in at the moment.
Baroka have conceded 30 goals this season‚ the second worst record after Highlands Park in the league‚ while the paltry 13 strikes they’ve managed is the worst in the league.
Baroka have a new coach in Milton Dlamini‚ who is working with Kgoloko Thobejane‚ following the recent suspension of Jacob Sakala.
A candid Shaku admitted that the timing of his arrival is not perfect.
“He is a good coach who knows his game but he joins us at a critical stage of the season and my concern is that we have many young and inexperienced players who may be confused by the constant changes in the technical team.
“Not so long ago we had coach Jacob Sakala who coached for only two matches‚ then Kgoloko returned briefly and now we have another coach.
“For us senior players we understand and we can deal with the changes but for younger players it could be unsettling.
“We will guide them so that we get through this phase and save this team that has given us so much‚” he said.
Weekend’s PSL Fixtures:
Friday: Ajax Cape Town v Free State Stars (Athlone Stadium‚ 8pm)
Saturday: Bloem Celtic v Cape Town City (Dr. Molemela Stadium‚ 6pm); Baroka v Kaizer Chiefs (Peter Mokaba Stadium‚ 8.15pm)
Sunday: Highlands Park v Maritzburg United (Makhulong Stadium‚ 3.30pm) — Tiso Black Star Group Digital
"Kaizer Chiefs have never beaten us in an official match before" - Baroka FC captain
Twenty matches into their maiden PSL campaign‚ Baroka are stranded at the foot of the standings with only two wins and they face a mountain to climb to avoid the guillotine in their remaining outings of the season.
First on their survival mission is a daunting clash against Kaizer Chiefs at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday in a game captain Olaleng Shaku conceded they will be desperate to win.
“We have to be brave and approach all our remaining matches with the mindset of going all out for maximum points‚” Shaku said.
“At the beginning of the season‚ there were matches were we could settle for draws‚ especially away from home‚ but we don’t have that luxury anymore.
“We will be in more trouble if we drop and teams above us collect points.”
While Baroka are in a desperate battle to save the club‚ Amakhosi are sitting fourth on the log and they are among the contenders for the title together with Bidvest Wits‚ Cape Town City‚ SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Asked what has been their Achilles heel this season‚ Shaku said they have been conceding far too many goals while at the same time failing to convert their chances in the opposite end of the pitch.
“Our biggest problem has been that we concede a lot of goals and we don’t score.
“It is a problem that we identified a long time ago but we just can’t get it right.
“Everyday we are working very hard training to correct the mistakes and the spirit among the guys is very good.
“I hope that they will show the same hunger they are showing at training during matches.
“Chiefs have not beaten us in an official match before and hopefully that will be more motivation.
“I know it is history that counts for nothing or little but we can use it to get the better of them‚” he said‚ adding that the players must take responsibility for the situation that the club finds itself in at the moment.
Baroka have conceded 30 goals this season‚ the second worst record after Highlands Park in the league‚ while the paltry 13 strikes they’ve managed is the worst in the league.
Baroka have a new coach in Milton Dlamini‚ who is working with Kgoloko Thobejane‚ following the recent suspension of Jacob Sakala.
A candid Shaku admitted that the timing of his arrival is not perfect.
“He is a good coach who knows his game but he joins us at a critical stage of the season and my concern is that we have many young and inexperienced players who may be confused by the constant changes in the technical team.
“Not so long ago we had coach Jacob Sakala who coached for only two matches‚ then Kgoloko returned briefly and now we have another coach.
“For us senior players we understand and we can deal with the changes but for younger players it could be unsettling.
“We will guide them so that we get through this phase and save this team that has given us so much‚” he said.
Weekend’s PSL Fixtures:
Friday: Ajax Cape Town v Free State Stars (Athlone Stadium‚ 8pm)
Saturday: Bloem Celtic v Cape Town City (Dr. Molemela Stadium‚ 6pm); Baroka v Kaizer Chiefs (Peter Mokaba Stadium‚ 8.15pm)
Sunday: Highlands Park v Maritzburg United (Makhulong Stadium‚ 3.30pm) — Tiso Black Star Group Digital
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