Kaizer Chiefs’ unbeaten run in the Absa Premiership was brought to an end by Baroka FC at the FNB Stadium on Saturday evening, with the visitors claiming a 1-0 win.

The result sees Bakgaga move up to 13th place on 24 points, while the Amakhosi remain in seventh spot on 36 points.

The teams traded half chances in the early stages, but the first genuine scoring opportunity went the way of Baroka defender Lawrence Ntswane, who headed over from close range in the 21st minute following an outstanding corner kick delivery from Matome Mabeba.

Less than a minute later, on a Chiefs counter, Bernard Parker’s clever header into space allowed Philani Zulu a sight of goal but the attacker struck his effort wide of the far post.

The hosts suffered an injury blow with just a few minutes of the first half remaining, as defender Teenage Hadebe collided with the Baroka goal post and suffered a blow to the face. He was replaced by forward Ryan Moon, as coach Ernst Middendorp opted for a more attacking substitution.

Moon had a fine chance to break the deadlock early in the second half, running onto a great pass from Parker before rounding goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze, but from a tight angle he was unable to steer a shot into the unguarded net.

Baroka broke the deadlock out of nowhere on 66 minutes: substitute Mduduzi Mdantsane earned a free kick just outside the Chiefs penalty area and Tshidiso Patjie fired home a fine shot from the dead ball to put the visitors 1-0 up.

Chiefs looked for an equaliser and came close on 78 minutes when Hendrick Ekstein worked space for a shot, but his effort was too close to Chipezeze, who made a sharp low save to ensure his team remained in the ascendancy.

That was as close as the Amakhosi came to a goal, with Bakgaga able to hold out and claim three vital points in their battle to avoid relegation to the National First Division.

Kaizer Chiefs 0
Baroka FC (0) 1 (Patjie 66’)

Chiefs: Bvuma, Mphahlele, Moleko, Cardoso, Hadebe (Moon 38’), Ntiyantiya, Ekstein, Maluleka, Andrianarimanana, Zulu (Zuma 68’), Parker

Baroka: Chipezeze, Semenya, Ntswane, Sibiya, Gebhardt, Patjie, Chinyengetere, Mosele, Mabeba (Mongae 76’), Makgantai (Makume 87’), Makgaka (Mdantsane 62’)