THE ARRIVAL of Doctor Khumalo at Baroka FC has brought the players a sense of self-belief and a bigger desire to win.
Surviving relegation via the promotion play-offs in June, the Ga-Mphahlele outfit learned some valuable lessons in the three-team mini-league and will want to avoid repeating the mistakes that saw them finish last season 15th in the standings.
Four games into the new season and things couldn’t be more different. Bakgaga have yet to lose a match and are third in the table with eight points, equal with table-toppers Golden Arrows, second-placed Maritzburg United and Orlando Pirates in fourth place.
Baroka have won two matches, defeating Chippa United 3-1 and Free State Stars 1-0, and drawing the other two encounters with Polokwane City (0-0) and Orlando Pirates (1-1) respectively.
This time last season Kgoloko Thobejane’s charges were already showing signs they were relegation material. That struggle seems to be a thing of the past with the huge improvement this season.
Letladi Madubanya, who has been one of the outstanding players for Bakgaga so far, said they would not get carried away, as there was a lot of work to do.
Baroka will be hoping to continue their fine form when they visit Bloemfontein Celtic at the Petrus Molemela Stadium tonight (7.30pm).
“Things have been going our way so far and our plan is to stay consistent,” said Madubanya.
“We are taking each game as it comes. It is always tough playing Celtic away.”
