By GIFT NDOLWANE
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – DESPITE the odds heavily stacked against them ahead of their most challenging encounter in their ten-year history, Baroka FC are adamant they will not be relegated from the Absa Premiership.
The debutantes are placed bottom of the 16-team log ahead of their last match of the season ahead of their trip to face resurgent Ajax Cape Town on Saturday.
Kickoff is 15h00 at the Cape Town Stadium, a venue Ajax has made their fortress where visiting teams hardly leave with any points.
In an interview, an overly upbeat Baroka spokesperson, Jimmy Ngobeni, promised the team’s followers maximum points against the youthful Cape Town side that is aiming for a top eight finish.
“We are definitely not going to lose that game. The worst we can do is draw,” Ngobeni declared.
Three points against Ajax might guarantee Baroka safety, depending on how games featuring other relegation candidates pan out.
A draw might only take them to 15th spot for the playoff, depending on the outcome of the match between 15th placed Highlands Park and deposed champions Mamelodi Sundowns at Makhulong in Tembisa.
“We are going for three points,” assured Ngobeni.
Three points have been hard to come by for the Limpopo side, with four wins managed out of a possible 29. Baroka have 25 points while Highlands have a point more. Chippa and Free State Stars (both 27 points) are not safe either.
Ngobeni insists the team is banking on a clean bill of health for the Ajax encounter.
“We don’t have any injury worries and we are not paying midweek. We will continue training so we can surpass Ajax on Saturday.”
For now, it appears Bakgakga ba Mpahlele are not crying over spilt milk after a horrendous officiating decision cost them at least a point in their penultimate match against Golden Arrows.
Striker Richard Matloga converted a penalty late into the match but trigger-happy Victor Miguel de Freitas Gomes, gave the opposition a free kick instead of ordering a retake after adjudging Baroka players encroached.
Gomes left the Baroka bench in uproar. Experts and fans labeled the referee’s performance as one of the worst seen in the game.
“The issue with the officiating against Arrows is not in our hands but with relevant authorities, we cannot comment on that but channel our energy to the upcoming match against Ajax,” Ngobeni said.
The 2016/17 PSL season ends on Saturday.

– CAJ News