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A host of trophies adorn the home of Baroka FC ace Mduduzi Mdantsane. The most recent one is the man of the match award he scooped earlier this month after this season’s Telkom Knockout (TKO) tournament for helping Baroka secure a spot in the semifinals.
The 23-year-old attacking midfielder is hoping that a much bigger prize could soon take its place alongside the sizeable collection he has amassed over these past two seasons, during which he has plied his trade among the elite ranks.
Nicknamed “Jomo” for his wizardry on the ball, the Baroka stand-in captain is hoping that his team will continue their winning ways to reach their first cup final.
Mdantsane and his team-mates are on the cusp of becoming the latest so-called unfashionable club to reach a TKO final.
But first, Bakgaga ba Mphahlele must dispose of TKO defending champions Bidvest Wits in their semifinal, taking place at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane today.
“We imagine ourselves in the final in Port Elizabeth on December 8. It is every player’s dream to be in a final at some point in their career,” said Mdantsane, who was declared the best player of the November 3 match against Downs, when Baroka pulled off that team’s shock elimination. He scored in his team’s 2-0 victory.
Baroka vs wits: how they measure up
- Baroka FC and Bidvest Wits will meet in the Telkom Knockout (TKO) for the second season in a row after the Clever Boys claimed a 1-0 success in the quarterfinals last year on their way to lifting the trophy.
- Baroka have reached the semifinal stage of the TKO for the first time in their history, having exited in the quarterfinals in the previous two seasons.
- Today’s game will mark Wits’ fifth TKO semifinal appearance in the PSL era. They lost in 2003 and 2004, but have gone on to claim victory twice – in 2011 and last year.
- Baroka and Wits have clashed in five previous occasions, with the encounters largely dominated by coach Gavin Hunt’s side. They have four wins and a draw from those encounters.
Mdantsane fancies the chances of his side emulating Cape Town City and Platinum Stars, those so-called minnows, who went as far as lifting the TKO trophy and bagging the R4 million spoils.
Wits have a rich cup pedigree, while Baroka have mastered the biblical David role in upstaging giants.
The giant-killer nametag dates back to their days in the lower division a few years ago – just ask Kaizer Chiefs.
“We will be up against the defending champions, who are also doing well in the league. You must be alert because if you lose focus, they will punish you,” warned Mdantsane.
Baroka may be struggling in the league so far, but they are a different animal when it comes to cup competition. They always thrive on team spirit, and the underdog tag gives them a positive attitude.
Baroka defeated Golden Arrows 2-0 in the round of 16 before they bundled out Sundowns in the quarterfinals.
“We have nothing to fear. We are playing at home and we are a hungry bunch of players,” Mdantsane said.
He highlighted coach Wedson Nyirenda’s philosophy, which allows players the freedom to express themselves. “The coach wants us to be free and calm. This brings out the best in players because once you apply these two aspects to your game, you naturally enjoy it.”
It has been a short road travelled by Mdantsane since he rose through the ranks two seasons ago.
He spent a season with the Kaizer Chiefs MultiChoice Diski Challenge team, and via Baberwa FC in the ABC Motsepe League.
Mdantsane featured prominently during the 2016/17 promotion-relegation play-offs, where Bakgaga retained their top-flight football status. More caps followed last year when he featured in 35 matches in all competitions.
The lad from Leandra in Mpumalanga believes he will eventually find the best way to honour his late mother, who died when he was 16 years old.
He said the setback left him depressed and drove him to drink heavily – until his neighbour, Mr Mnguni, rescued him and what has turned out to be a promising career.
“I was raised by my grandparents from my mother’s side because my father abandoned me when I was still very young,” he said.
“uBab’ Mnguni is the one who encouraged me and took me to Chiefs. I don’t want to disappoint these people. Winning a major trophy would go a long way towards pleasing my mum especially, albeit at her resting place, because she supported my football dream.”
Mdantsane believes he owes as much to bab’Mnguni.
