POLOKWANE MOVE INTO THIRD PLACE
Polokwane City recorded a narrow 1-0 win over Maritzburg United in an Absa Premiership match at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The victory took Rise and Shine to third place on the league standings, while the Team of Choice remained 13th on the table.
Rise and Shine were hoping to record their second successive victory in the league after beating Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 away a fortnight ago.
While the Team of Choice were keen to return to winning ways in the league having drawn 0-0 with Cape Town City at home two weeks ago.
Maritzburg’s attack was led by Mohau Mokate, who had netted as they beat Highlands Pak in the Telkom Knockout Cup clash last weekend.
The hard-running striker was tightly marked by Simphiwe Hlongwane, who has established himself as a key defender for the hosts this season.
Last season’s Absa Premiership Golden Boot winner Rodney Ramagalela was working tirelessly for Polokwane upfront.
Polokwane and Maritzburg were unable to convert the few goalscoring opportunities that they created in the first-half.
The score was 0-0 at the interval in the city of Polokwane.
Polokwane head coach Jozef Vukusic made the first chance of the game six minutes after the restart.
Charles Baloyi, who was once on the books Platinum Stars, replaced Sammy Seabi as the hosts looked to break the deadlock.
The hosts did open the scoring two minutes after the hour-mark through hard-working midfielder Edgar Manaka.
Jabulani Maluleke set-up Manaka, who hit the back of the net to make it 1-0 to Polokwane – beating Maritzburg goalkeeper Richard Ofori.
Maritzburg coach Fadlu Davids responded by introducing Keletso Makgalwa, who is on loan at the Team of Choice from Mamelodi Sundowns.
However, the Rise and Shine defence which was marshaled by Hlongwane was able to contain the Team of Choice in the closing stages of the game.
Ultimately, Polokwane ran out 1-0 winners over Maritzburg on a sunny Saturday afternoon.
Polokwane (0) 1 (Manaka 62′)
Maritzburg (0) 0
Polokwane City: Ndlovu, Nkili, Mngomezulu, Hlongwane, Motloung (Mbonani 79′), Seabi (Baloyi 61′), Manaka, Maluleke, Phiri, 17. Ramagalela, 15. Musona (Booi 65′).
Maritzburg United: Ofori, Sanoka, Xulu, Shandu, Figariedo (Makgalwa 67′), De Reuck (Tlhone 88′), Allie, Makaringe, Zakri, Ndlovu, Mokate (Fileccia 81′).
