AmaTuks snatch victory over Baroka FC in playoffs opener
AmaTuks scored a late goal to secure a 1-0 win over Baroka FC in the first match of the 2024 PSL Promotional/Relegation Playoffs at Tuks Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
In the 88th minute of the match, Kamohelo Pheeane netted the winning goal to seal a hard-earned victory for Dan Malesela’s Baroka.
Tuks and Baroka commenced the PSL playoffs after finishing second and third, respectively, in the recently concluded Motsepe Foundation Championship season.
The Limpopo-based side Magesi FC clinched the league title in the Championship and they will play in the DStv Premiership next season.
Magesi beat AmaTuks to the automatic spot promotion to the SA’s top-flight as both sides were involved in a two-horse race for the most part of the second round.
The Clinton Larsen-coached team finished the season at the summit of the log with 59 points, while AmaTuks in second place and Baroka in third collected 49 and 47 points, respectively.
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Bakgakga and Tuks are tussling for the promotion with Richards Bay FC, who finished 15th in the Premiership. They will be looking to retain their top-flight status.
The opening fixture of the playoffs saw Baroka and the Pretoria-based side have a go at each other. However, the goalkeepers from both teams were equal to the task.
Sikhosonke Langa came close to opening the scoring for Tuks, but his powerful header hit the crossbar. Late in the first-half, on-loan Mamelodi Sundowns striker Thabang Sibanyoni made a good run in the box and fired a shot onto the near post but his strike was kept out by Boalefa Pule.
With both NFD sides struggling to find an opening goal, the referee blew the half-time whistle, and the score was deadlocked at 0-0.
In the second-half, the Tlisane Motaung-coached side applied high press on Baroka to prevent the short passing game.
AmaTuks held on to collect all the maximum points against Baroka in the playoffs to go top of the three-team log.
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