Matsimela Thoka is grateful and happy that Baroka FC earned three points during their DStv Premiership fixture against AmaZulu at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, Durban, on Tuesday afternoon.
The Baroka coach led Bakgaga Ba Mphahlele to a 1-0 victory over Usuthu through a Richard Mbulu goal.
“It was difficult. Credit to the boys. They worked very hard. I think we really planned well against AmaZulu. I’m very happy for the performance of the boys. We really worked hard for this one. I’m very happy for the three points,” Thoka said.
The three points earned in Durban took Bakgaga from 10th to ninth position on the Premiership table with three matches to go before they wrap up their season.
Next up for Bakgaga is a match against neighbours Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila in Polokwane on Tuesday.
“Tshakhuma is another tough match. They are still celebrating winning the cup. They are playing on the 12th and on the 15th. We need to make sure that we get something from the match,” Thoka said.
Meanwhile, AmaZulu coach Benni McCarthy admitted that Bakgaga were more physical than Usuthu during the game.
“The opposition team was very physical. The season is not going our way, but we should have played a better game. Every game is gonna be very difficult, very tough now. Every team wants to beat us. We were just slow off the blocks,” McCarthy commented.
“First half we were nowhere. Second half we got better, but it looked like we were gonna spend the whole day playing football, trying to score. The ball wasn’t gonna go in for us. Congratulations to Baroka, they were desperate for the points. Their desperado paid off. We got three more games left. Three difficult games. Probably, it’s gonna go like this. The good thing is we will be back at King’s Park Stadium.”
