'Sleepy' Baroka move closer to safety
A tongue-lashing from Baroka coach Wedson Nyirenda had the desired effect as they beat AmaZulu 1-0 Sunday to boost hopes of avoiding demotion from the South African Premiership.
"We were asleep in the first half and not behaving like a team desperate for maximum points," said the former Zambia star and coach.
"Some harsh words were said in the change room at half-time and the second-half performance was much more purposeful."
Tshediso Patjie second the crucial goal in northern city Polokwane after 84 minutes by evading onrushing goalkeeper Siyabonga Mbatha and pushing an angled shot into the net.
Baroka are four points above the danger zone with two rounds remaining and host bottom club Maritzburg United in their final fixture on May 11.
Meanwhile, Free State Stars stayed just two points above second-from-bottom Chippa United after losing 2-1 away to mid-table Golden Arrows in Indian Ocean port city Durban.
All the goals came from first-half set-pieces, with Zimbabwean Knox Mutizwa scoring a penalty and a free-kick for Arrows before Sibusiso Hlubi netted direct from a free-kick.
Free State have had a disappointing campaign after winning the FA Cup and finishing sixth in the league last season.