CITY CLAIM SIX POINTS OVER SUNDOWNS
Goals through Sammy Seabi, Walter Musona and Rodney Ramagalela ensured Polokwane City came back to stun Mamelodi Sundowns as they won 3-2 in the Absa Premiership on Saturday afternoon at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
In the wake of the win, the hosts move up to the 11th spot with 18 points on the log table, as they bagged their first win at home this season.
On the other hand, Sundowns found the back of the net through George Lebese and Oupa Manyisa, but they were not enough for them to win.
As early as the third minute, the visitors had a bright start and Lebese converted a powerful low cross from Hlompho Kekana to slot it home.
Polokwane showed quality touches in Sundowns’ half, but could not break down the visiting defence in the 10th minute.
However, Pitso Mosimane’s men launched a quick counter attack and Percy Tau saw his well-drilled shot going straight to goalkeeper George Chigova a minute later.
Midfielder Manyisa would be denied by Chigova in the 14th minute when he received a brilliant pass from Tau and it was blocked for a corner.
Four minutes later, it was the Brazilians who ran riot over Rise and Shine as Tau broke free towards the penalty area, yet his shot was punched away by Chigova, who conceded another corner.
Just after the 21st minute, Ramagalela used his pace and made an entry in Sundowns’ box, but he rushed his effort and was blocked by Motjeka Madisha.
In the final minutes of the opening half, Bernard Molekwa’s men improved on their attack and Thabiso Semenya failed to hit the target from a promising position in the box.
With the Tshwane side heading to the tunnel leading 1-0, Chigova continued to deny the visitors as he collected Kekana’s long range shot in the 52nd minute.
However, City would bounce back when Seabi converted Jabulani Maluleke’s wonderful free kick and the defender’s header beat Denis Onyango to make it 1-1.
With the former African champions stunned, Manyisa’s poor back pass was intercepted by Musona, who was alert to beat the oncoming Onyango to make it 2-1 a minute later.
Sundowns showed resilience and Manyisa rectified his error and made it 2-2 when he beat an offside trap to convert Tau’s defence splitting pass.
However exactly with 10 minutes to go, Ramagalela bagged City’s third goal after receiving a great pass from the Maluleke to unleash a shot, giving Onyango no chance.
The Citizens were boosted after regaining their lead as they dominated the final five minutes of the thrilling encounter.
Despite the loss, Sundowns remain on top of the log table with 28 points from 15 league games and will hope to bounce back against Ajax Cape Town in their midweek game.
Polokwane City (0) 3 (Seabi 58’, Musona 59’, Ramagalela 80’)
Mamelodi Sundowns (1) 2 (Lebese 3’, Manyisa 64’)
Polokwane: Chigova, Semenya, Hlongwane, Maponyane, Mbonani, Seabi, Ramagalela, Phiri (Vilakazi 54’), Ndou, Maluleke, Musona (Booi 78’)
Sundowns: Onyango, Langerman, Madisha, Nascimento, Ngcongca (S. Zwane 46’), Manyisa, Kekana (Zakri 88’), Mabunda, Lebese (Laffor 46’), T. Zwane, Tau
