Polokwane City saw off Cape Town Spurs 1-0 in the DStv Premiership at the Athlone Stadium on Tuesday evening. Walking away with all three points at the death, Rise and Shine crushed their opponent’s hopes of staying in the top-flight.
It was a busy half for Cape Town Spurs where they worked tirelessly to keep Polokwane City at bay in the defence. The Urban Warriors had a chance to open the scoring in the 18th minute when Therlo Moosa’s effort on goal tested City goalkeeper Lindokuhle Mathebula.
Rise and Shine came close to breaking the deadlock as well when Hlayisi Chauke’s header from a decent cross went just wide of the goal. The Polokwane team did well to keep possession as Spurs struggled to hit the ground running in the first half.
Starting off the second half goalless from both teams, Ernst Middendorp made a tactical change and brought on Boitumelo Radiopane immediately as the match restarted for attacking purposes. As Spurs went forward more and gained confidence, they began to threaten the away team.
As a team that usually comes alive in the second half, Spurs showed determination and tried to break the deadlock. Polokwane also had their own fair set of chances in the second stanza, but none of the teams managed to find the end product.
With the scoreline still goalless with 15 minutes to go, Liam Bern attempted a moment of brilliance with a shot from long range but Mathebula was able to sweep the ball up. Three minutes of stoppage time were added as the game grew tense.
When it looked to be all over and as if it would end all square, Polokwane City grabbed the winning goal in the 93rd minute, as the ball came off Spurs defender Rushwin Dortley and went into the back of the net, breaking hearts of the Capetonian team.
Cape Town Spurs (0) 0
Polokwane City (0) 1 (Dortley OG 90+3′)
Cape Town Spurs : N. Boshoff, S. Nkwali, T. Gumede, J. Moroole (C. Ryan 81’), R. Dortley, T. Mokeke, L. Bern, A. Cupido, M. Abrahams (B. Radiopane 46’), G. Michael, T. Moosa (A. Jakalashe 75’)
Polokwane City: L. Mathebula, T. Nkwe, L. Nkaki, B. Nikani, T. Matuludi, M. Kambala, N. Maphangule, O. Appollis (N. Raphadu 84’), C. Alexander (S. Goovadia 84’), S. Ramabu, H. Chauke (S. Tshabalala 90+1’)
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