Other heroes of cup success

Beside keeper Elvis Chipezeze,

Tiyani Mabasa looks at other standout performers for Baroka in Saturday’s heroic Telkom Knockout victory over Orlando Pirates:

Talent Chawapiwa

There was one moment when Bucs duo Xola Mlambo and Musa Nyatama thought they had closed him down, but the winger incredibly slipped away. He always seems to have something up his sleeve, even in the most difficult situations. “We gave it our all and we never respected Pirates,” Chawapiwa told the Sowetan afterwards. “We came a long way and couldn’t lose it now after beating Golden Arrows, Mamelodi Sundowns, Bidvest Wits. We went there with a positive mind.”

Thabiso Semenya

The right-back also had a big role to play, which belies his age (36). The likes of Vincent Pule can cause problems for any opposition, but Semenya was key in nullifying their threats, forcing the Pirates bench to remove the ineffective Pule. Semenya proved yet again that age really is just a number.

Vusi Sibiya

The central defender continues to impress in the top division and remarkably, he was playing in the amateur leagues (for TUT) just a few months ago. But the rise of 24-year-old from Soshanguve with Bakgaga has culminated in club success, which is something that could motivate other topflight clubs to tap into the talent at the lower leagues.