WeeklySA_Admin
BELEAGURED: Coach Masutha resigns after heavy loss
By Masoja Cele
After suffering a 5-1 hiding from Venda FC last week, Baroka FC will have to quickly regroup in preparation for their crucial Motsepe Foundation Championship fixture against University of Pre-toria on Sunday at Global Village Stadium, Leb-owakgomo. Kick-off 15:00.
With this defeat Baroka endured a huge set-back. On Wednesday head coach Joel Masutha fled for his resignation with immediate effect. The news came a shock consider the gaffer’s impressive re-cord since his arrival in November.
Masutha had won 5, with 3 draws and 1 defeat from a total of 9 matches. Though, the former Black Leopards goal-keeper and coach’ reasons for departure hasn’t been revealed, it is alleged that the defeat against Venda FC caused a rift within the team.
Masutha leaves the team in a reputable 6th position on the stand-ings. It is rumoured that Masutha has agreed to be part of Lidovha Duhva technical set up that would work with newly appointed Zeca Maques.
Recently, main striker Siphelele ‘’Shaka-Zulu’’Mthembu left the team. It is believed that the veteran former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates centre forward is set to re-join his previous employ-er Pretoria Callies.
Bakgakga-BaMphahlele are seeking redemp-tion following the past weekend’s defeat. They are now located 6th on the log standings10 points be-hind log leaders Durban City. The loss robbed them of a chance to leap-frogged Casric Stars to 5th posi-tion.
It will be interesting to see how Baroka react to such unthinkable defeat. Certainly, it’s back to the drawing board for the technical team to redis-cover the dented confdence of the players.
Long serving assistant coach Amukelani Hlungwani has been tasked with the role of lead-ing Baroka as a caretaker coach. Hlungwani has served under numerous coaches at Baroka includ-ing Masutha.
He knows the structure of the team well. Perhaps, Hlungwani’s plot is to continue with all the hard work that Masutha has prepared. The Ga-Mphahlele team have assembled a solid team that is playing constructive football. Veteran midfelder Ananias Gebhardt has played a signifcant role in the growth of the team.
Another old guard Olaleng Shaku has kept the team’s defence solid with combative style of defending while former Moroka Swallows midfelder Lent-shane Phalane has added more weight to the team. The trio will be handful for the AmaTuks. Tukkies approach this match from a confdence 1-0 win against Pretoria Callies last Sunday.
After a sluggish start to the season Tuks are slowly pick-ing up the pieces. They are perched 7th on the log standings. Together with Baroka they are on 24 points. They could still challenge for promotional slot depending on other team’s results elsewhere. AmaTuks can’t afford to falter at Baroka as their chances of challenging for promotion to top flight might vanish to thin air.
The Hartfeld based side were solid against Callies. But, they have the tendency of losing games that they would have won easily. The Tshwane outft coach Tlisane Motaung will entrust that play-ers like captain Samuel Julies,
Siyanda Msani and Luke Daniels will continue with their impressive performance against the Romans.
