Baroka FC chairman Khurishi Mphahlele has revealed his club's financial status with their bid to get back to the DStv Premiership hanging by a thread.
The Lebowakgomo-based club is currently competing in the Premier Soccer League promotional/relegation play-offs as they look to go back to the top tier, but have so far drawn two games and lost one, with only one more match to play.
On Wednesday in Limpopo, the Morgan Mammila-coached side gave a very spirited performance against fellow Motsepe Foundation Championship outfit University of Pretoria FC, but unfortunately had to settle for a point following the 1-1 draw.
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Baroka are currently in third position in the three-team mini-league, behind Richards Bay FC and Tuks.
Mphahlele says his financially sound club deserves to play in the elite division.
Most recently top-tier outfits, such as Moroka Swallows and Richards Bay, have been struggling to pay their players due to some financial constraints.
Before they were relegated, Baroka managed to spend few years in the PSL without experiencing financial difficulties.
"We've got the experience, we've been there, we've spent about five years in the Premier Soccer League," Mphahlele tells KickOff.
"And we are even better than before because now we've got everything that is expected from a professional club.
"Back then, we didn't even have a place to call home. We had to travel to Polokwane now and then.
"But now we've got our own home, the Baroka Football Club Village, we do everything here. We have proper structures in place, and everybody at the club is experienced.
"Now I'm experienced, surely, and my technical team is also experienced, they've been there. We don't fear anything.
"We budget well, we don't want to act rich and go out to get something we cannot afford. We only buy what we can afford. That's our secret.
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"We only promise you what we can afford to pay you at month-end. We are always upfront with a player, we don't lie.
"We know how much we are going to get, and we know how much we are going to generate outside football. So, we can't go above that."
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