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Cape Town - Although Mohammed Anas scored for Free State Stars, they failed to beat Baroka FC as they lost their Absa Premiership match 2-1 on Tuesday night at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium.
The defeat for Serame Letsoaka's outfit sees them occupying the 14th spot with 22 points from 23 matches.
On the other hand, Maboke Matlakala's brace ensured Milton Dlamini's side bagged the full three points at home.
Ea Lla Koto nearly caught the hosts napping as early as the first minute when Rooi Mahamutsa took a shot after a corner, but goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke safely gathered the ball.
Despite their efforts to control their proceedings, Bakgaga Ba Mphahlele could not penetrate their visitors in the first 10 minutes.
However, in the 20th minute, Mxolisi Kunene delivered a dangerous corner kick and Siphelele Zikalala nearly beat Stars' keeper Thela Ngobeni as his effort went inches wide.
Ngobeni was the busiest of the two goalkeepers when he was called to action by Kunene in the 37th minute and he was equal to the task, collecting the effort with ease.
Three minutes later, Milton Dlamini's men broke the deadlock through Matlakala when he produced a brilliant left footed finish following a great assist by Punch Masenamela.
After heading to the tunnel 1-0 down, Serame Letsoaka's men came back with renewed energy as Thamsanqa Teyise unleashed a shot, but Masuluke saved his effort.
Stars kept pressure on their PSL newcomers and their efforts were rewarded in the 59th minute when Anas netted from a fine finish to beat Masuluke, 1-1.
However, with 19 minutes to go, Baroka doubled their lead through Matlakala's brace as he headed home from close range after an assist from Richard Matloga.
With time running against the Bethlehem-based side, Goodman Dlamini saw his effort going wide to the left of Masuluke's posts in the last four minutes.
In the end, the hosts managed to hold on to their deserved win, bagging their fourth three-pointer of their season.
For the hosts, the hard fought win elevates them to number 15 on the log table with 21 points from 23 matches - still in the relegation zone but now with some hope.
