Photo by Philip Maeta/Gallo Images
Polokwane City secured the bragging rights in the Limpopo Derby with a 2-0 win over bottom-placed Magesi FC on Friday evening.
Dikwena Tsa Meetse recalled Lehlohonolo Mtshali, Edmore Chirambadare and Mcedisi Vandala from their last match, while Bulelani Nikani and Simon Ramabu returned in for City.
City produced the first shot in anger four minutes in when Ramabu got space well outside the attacking area and unleashed a shot, but his effort didn’t trouble the host.
Ramabu remained crucial for the visitors and broke the deadlock in the midway stage as he charged in at the back-post of the area to stab in a cross-field delivery for his third league goal of the season.
The visiting team nearly doubled the lead through a low shot across the face of goal by Thabang Matuludi following a diagonal ball by Tlou Nkwe, but it went wide.
Dikwena Tsa Meetse were completely on the back-foot, but were close to levelling matters when a snap shot outside the area by Samuel Darpoh deflected onto the top of the woodwork.
Coach Allan Freese decided to change personnel at the resumption for the home team and introduced Sifiso Luthuli in the place of Mthsali.
Rise and Shine still maintained control over ten minutes played and nearly doubled the lead with a header by Thobela Tshikweta from a cross, but it was cleared off the goal-line.
Dikwena remained in the contest after a difficult spell and steadily pressed forward in search of the equaliser, but was unable to break down the Rise and Shine defence.
However, City extended the lead with 20 minutes to go when a scorching strike from a free-kick by Matuludi sailed in the top corner, leaving Chipezeze firmly rooted to his line.
The struggling host looked for a route back and came close through a header in the area from a corner, but goalkeeper Lindokuhle Mathebula palmed away. In the end, Rise and Shine collected the win and claimed the bragging rights as Dikwena Tsa Meetse remain rooted to the bottom.
Confirmed line-ups:
Magesi: Chipezeze, Mokone, Vandala, Makgoga, Mashego, Buthelezi, Darpoh, Ndlozi, Mariba, Mtshali, Chirambadare
Polokwane: Mathebula, Matuludi, Nikani, Nkaki, Nkwe, Dlamini, Kambala, Maphangule, Mnguni, Ramabu, Tshikweta
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