In an early clash for match-day 24, Maritzburg United and Baroka played out a 1-1 draw at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Friday night.
Evidence Makgopa notched his seventh goal of the DStv Premiership season as Baroka maintained their eighth spot on the log.
Serbian defender Dusan Stevic came into the line-up alongside Judas Moseamedi and Riyaaz Ismail for Maritzburg United while Joslin Kamatuka was the only change in the line-up for Baroka.
The Team of Choice were the better side in the opening minutes but the first shot on goal resulted into the game’s opening goal in the 25 minute. A cut-back from Daylon Claasen found Thabiso Kutumela in the area and the latter side-footed into the top corner.
Seven minutes later the scores were level. Some good work by Goodman Mosele ended up with Makgopa finding the bottom corner with a smart finish.
The half ended 1-1 after that blitz of goal action in the space of ten minutes. The second stanza started with more urgency and desire from either side to earn a win.
Tlolane missed a wonderful chance to restore the lead for United just before the hour-mark after receiving a flick on from Moseamedi but his strike could not find the target. Kutumela’s follow-up was then denied by Masuluke five minutes later.
With seven minutes left to play, Matsimela Thoka’s men were reduced to ten men after Ananias Gebhardt got a second yellow card for a late tackle on Stevic and was rightly sent off.
There was still time for Tshediso Patjie to snatch the winner for Baroka in stoppage time with a close-range strike but Marcel Engelhardt made a brilliant stop, as the sides settled for a draw.
Ernest Middendorp’s men stay 13th with four points clear of the relegation zone while the Limpopo side moved two points clear of ninth-placed TS Galaxy in eighth spot on the log.
For their next outings, Baroka will take on Moroka Swallows next Thursday while Maritzburg United take on Stellenbosch on Tuesday.