Baroka Football Club, affectionately known as Bakgaga (clan name of Mphahlele people), is one of South Africa’s most compelling underdog stories. Founded in 2007 by Khurishi Mphahlele, and later joined by fellow Ga-Mphahlele businessman Mankopo Richard Mooa, Baroka rose from amateur leagues to top-flight football with heart, hustle, and history-making moments. From shocking Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup to winning the Telkom Knockout, they became the pride of Limpopo — but behind the scenes, their rise has not been without turbulence.
🟨 SECTION 2: Club Overview
Quick Facts About Baroka FC
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Baroka Football Club |
| Nickname | Bakgaga ba Ga-Mphahlele |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Founders | Khurishi William Mphahlele |
| Location | Ga-Mphahlele, Limpopo |
| Stadium | Global Stadium, Baroka Village (Previously, Peter Mokaba Stadium) |
| Club Colors | Green and Yellow |
| League Status | National First Division (as of 2024) |
| Trophy | 2018 Telkom Knockout Champions |
🟨 SECTION 3: Humble Beginnings
Built in Ga-Mphahlele, Dreaming Big
Baroka FC was born in 2007, when businessman Khurishi Mphahlele acquired the SAB League status of Flying Bees Football Club. He later brought on Mankopo Richard Mooa, a respected local football leader and former president of Mowa Wa Phafane FC, who bought a 15% stake in Baroka. Mphahlele set out to build a football institution rooted in rural pride and community upliftment.
🟨 SECTION 4: The 2011 Nedbank Cup Miracle
The Day the Giants Fell
- 💥 Baroka, then an amateur side, stunned PSL teams in the 2010–11 Nedbank Cup.
- 🏆 Beat Moroka Swallows and Kaizer Chiefs en route to the semi-finals.
- 📺 Their giant-killing run made headlines nationwide and sparked belief in their future.
🟨 SECTION 5: Climbing the Professional Ladder
From Vodacom League to the PSL
After rising through the lower divisions and narrowly missing promotion on goal difference in 2012, Baroka finally secured a place in the PSL in 2016. It was a dream realized for the small Ga-Mphahlele community, with both Mphahlele and Mooa publicly praised for their investment and vision.
🟨 SECTION 6: PSL Years and Trophy Glory
Fighting Spirit and the 2018 Triumph
Achievements:
- ✅ PSL Promotion: 2016
- 🏆 Telkom Knockout Winners: 2018
- 🏁 Beat Orlando Pirates in a penalty shootout to claim their first major trophy.
The 2018 Telkom Knockout win remains the club’s crowning achievement, proving that Bakgaga could compete with — and beat — South Africa’s top footballing powerhouses.
🟨 SECTION 7: Ownership Rift and Legal Battle
From Partners to Courtroom Drama
In 2020, Sunday World reported that Mankopo Richard Mooa — who held a 15% stake in the club — filed a legal case against Khurishi Mphahlele. Apparently, Mooa claimed he was owed R15 million and was seeking a court order to force the sale of Baroka FC in order to recover the debt.
🟨 SECTION 8: Challenges and Relegation
Baroka’s struggles weren’t only internal. On the field, inconsistent performances and financial constraints caught up with them. In 2022, they were relegated from the DStv Premiership.
🟨 SECTION 9: Baroka Village – A New Era Begins
A Home Built for Football and Community
Despite recent challenges, in 2022, Baroka FC unveiled the Baroka Village — a new, multi-purpose football facility that hosts the clubhouse, swimming pool, training amenities and the pitch (known as Global Stadium) where the team plays its matches.
“The facility promises to create an electric matchday atmosphere. Baroka Village is not just a stadium — it’s a commitment to long-term football development in rural Limpopo.” – KickOff, 2022
🟨 SECTION 10: A Future to Rebuild
Bakgaga Forever – Through It All
Baroka FC’s journey has been one of soaring highs and painful lows. From Nedbank Cup fairytale runs and Telkom Knockout glory, to internal disputes and financial woes — the club’s story is rich, complicated, and deeply rooted in Limpopo pride. Whatever happens, Bakgaga have written themselves into the folklore of South African football.
