BAROKA FC’s love affair with the Nedbank Cup is common knowledge, the team from Lebowakgomo having announced themselves to the local fraternity in this competition way back in 2011.
The discerning local football follower will vividly remember their giant-slaying acts under the guidance of Sello ‘The Gloved One’ Chokoe as they beat both Kaizer Chiefs and Moroka Swallows en route to reaching the semi-finals.
They were in the lower division back then, and upon their promotion to the elite league, Bakgaga also had a fantastic run in the Telkom Knockout, which they won in 2018 at the expense of another giant of the game from Soweto, Orlando Pirates.
It is those good memories of splendid cup runs that the Motsepe Foundation Championship club have been using to motivate themselves for this weekend’s Nedbank Cup round of 16 clash against defending champions Pirates.
Late on Wednesday, during their training session at their impressive training facility, Baroka Global Village, in Lebowakgomo, south-east of Polokwane, the team exuded confidence as they prepared for their trip to Orlando Stadium.
Particularly eager for Saturday (3pm kick-off) is Collins Makgaka, who was previously a Buccaneer.
“The boys (and I) are looking forward to this game because it is a big game,” he said.
“We haven’t played a game of this magnitude this season, so the boys are excited as for some of them, it will be the first time they are playing in the round of 16.
“And now they are facing a big team like Orlando Pirates, so they are excited about this game.”
Makgkaka, who was on the Pirates books in 2020, said inspiration just happens when one faces a club you previously played for.
“I think it comes naturally when you play against your former team... you want to show something,” he said.
“It is normal. I think every player feels like that, and just like myself, when I was there and we were playing against Baroka, it was the same thing, the same feeling.
“You always want to show them that it was not a mistake that you left, and you want to give your best against them.”
Midfielder Makgaka said that they are keen to remind the soccer fraternity that they were once giant-killers in this competition.
“I think it is important to show people that it is not the first time we do this. We have been here before and reached the semi-final, so it’s a journey we have been on – even though now it is with a different group,” the 28-year-old said.
“But even these ones, they are looking to show that they can do it as well.”
With Baroka struggling in their quest to gain promotion or at least even get to the playoffs, like they did last season, Makgaka and his teammates are looking to use the Nedbank Cup as a catalyst for the revival of their promotional dreams.
“We have been struggling in the league, and after three matches, we are yet to win this year.
“But hopefully a win over Pirates will help boost us, so we can focus on the league.”