Polokwane snatch a late win over Stellies

Polokwane City scored in injury time at the end of a Betway Premiership match to defeat Stellenbosch FC 1-0 at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Both Rise and Shine and the Maroons had plenty of attempts at goal throughout the match, but neither managed to find the back of the net – until just after the regulation 90 minutes had lapsed, with Manuel Kambala striking to see the hosts to victory.

Polokwane extended their unbeaten league run to four matches and rose to sixth place on the log, while Stellies suffered a 10th league defeat of the season and remained in ninth.

Stellenbosch enjoyed the first scoring chance just three minutes in, as Thapelo Mokobodi’s cross found the head of Devin Titus, but the forward was unable to direct an effort on target.

Polokwane threatened just before the quarter-hour mark, as Thabang Matuludi headed wide from Juan Mutudza’s cross, before Stellenbosch went up the other end and drew a save from goalkeeper Lindokuhle Mathebula, who kept out Wonderboy Makhubu’s shot.

The visitors had another chance just past the half-hour mark when Mthetheleli Mthiyane drove a long-range shot just away from the top corner, sparking a back-and-forth exchange of efforts at either end for the likes of Mutudza, Mokibelo Ramabu and Langelihle Phili – but ultimately, the half closed with the score at 0-0.

The start of the second half brought a double change for Rise and Shine, as they shuffled their pack in attack by swapping out Thabelo Tshikweta and Mutudza for Puleng Marema and Raymond Daniels.

Stellies were inches away from breaking the deadlock in the 54th minute, as Titus let fly with a left-footed effort that had the beating of Mathebula, but not the crossbar. And six minutes later, the hosts needed the keeper to make a fine save to deny Phili.

The Cape Winelands team also brought on the likes of Tshegofatso Mabasa and Ashley Cupido to try and turn the game in their favour, but frustration for both attacks continued through the remainder of normal time.

However, in the first minute of injury time, Marema teed up Manuel Kambala to send an effort past goalkeeper Sage Stephens and secure a dramatic triumph for the team in orange and black.

Polokwane will be back in Premiership action this coming midweek, hosting Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday, 29 April, while Stellenbosch’s next league match is at home to Orlando Pirates on Tuesday, 5 May.

Polokwane City (0) 1 (Kambala 90+1’)

Stellenbosch FC 0

Polokwane: Mathebula, Matuludi, Nkaki, Nkwe, Maphangule (Batlhabane 81’), Kambala, Dlamini (Mvundlela 90+3’), Ramabu (Sebone 81’), Mutudza (Daniels 46’), Tshikweta (Marema 46’)

Stellenbosch: Stephens, Enyinnaya, Moloisane, Ndah, Tiwani, Mthiyane, Mokobodi, Butsaka, Phili (Mabasa 65’), Titus (Cupido 77’), Makhubu