POLOKWANE CITY SHINE AND RISE UP TO FIFTH
Polokwane City extended their Absa Premiership unbeaten run to five matches with a 2-0 win over Golden Arrows at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday afternoon.
Goals from Mohammed Anas and Charlton Mashumba leading Rise and Shine up to fifth on the log standings, ahead of their clash against third placed Cape Town City next weekend. Defeat leaves Abafana Bes’thende in 10th.
Anas fired the hosts in front as early as the 13th minute. The Ghanaian pounced on a defensive mistake before rifling an unstoppable shot into the back of the net from range, for his fourth goal in three matches.
Arrows struggled to break down a well-drilled Rise and Shine defence and failed to conjure any notable shot in anger at George Chigova’s goal before the halftime break.
Lerato Lamola squandered a golden chance to pull the two sides level after the interval having raced clean through on goal. The forward, though, took one too many touches, allowing Nicholas Motloung to race back and duly make a goal-saving interception.
The visitors squandered another opportunity to draw level in the 67th minute. Siyabonga Dube looked sure to scored, but Siphiwe Hlongwane was well positioned at the far post to deny the midfielder.
Arrows were duly made to rue their missed chances and after Nkosingiphile Gumede had pulled off a great save to keep his team in the game, Polokwane doubled their lead from the resulting corner-kick to stifle the visitors challenge.
Mashumba rising off the bench to great effect. The Zimbabwe international poking home after Bongile Booi rose highest from the set-piece.
Steve Komphela’s men pushed forward in the closing stages in search of what would’ve been a mere consolation, but City held firm as they keep alive their title push.
Polokwane City (1) 2 (Anas 13′ Mashumba 77′)
Golden Arrows (0) 0
Polokwane City: Chigova; Mvelase, Mbonani, Motloung, Hlongwane, Tlolane (Mashumba 75′), Maluleke, Manaka, Phiri, Booi (W.Maluleke 84′), Anas (Seabi 65′).
Golden Arrows: Gumede; Sibisi, Mathiane, Mzava, Lunga, Venter, Phiri (S.Dube 46′), S.Parusnath, Ndwandwe, Mutizwa (Sibeko 66′), Lamola (Jooste 78′).
