Jappie free-kick fires Maritzburg past Polokwane

Maritzburg United move up to eight place in the Absa Premiership following a 1-0 win over Polokwane City at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Sunday afternoon.

Yusuf Jappie's solitary strike secured a valuable away win for the Team of Choice in build-up to their Telkom Knockout final showdown against Mamelodi Sundowns next weekend.

A seventh league defeat in succession leaves Rise and Shine in 14th place, a mere point off bottom spot.

The hosts dominated the early exchanges and conjured the first chance of the match through Mpho Mvelase in the 23rd minute.

The Polokwane fullback raced into the area before firing a rasping shot inches wide of goal.

Jabulani Maluleke was Polokwane's main protagonist and fired his shot in the 43rd minute straight down the throat of Bongani Mpandle, as the hosts ended the half firmly on the front foot.

It would be the visitors, though, to open the scoring as Jappie curled his left-footed free-kick past George Chigova just before the hour mark.

Rise and Shine almost found the equaliser from a free-kick of their own moments later, but Maluleke's shot cannoned against the woodwork and out of danger.

Judas Moseamedi should've put the game beyond any reasonable doubt with two late chances, but was brilliantly denied by Chigova with his first before heading over with the goal at his mercy, with his second.

A frantic end ensued in five added minutes, but Maritzburg held on to subsequently add to Polokwane's woes with new head coach Clinton Larsen watching from the stands.

Polokwane City (0) 0

Maritzburg United (0) 1 (Jappie 58')

Polokwane City: Chigova; Mvelase, Motloung, Nthatheni, Hlongwane, Hlubi, Maluleke (Anas 69'), Nene, Phiri (Manaka 60'), Booi (Mngomezulu 78'), Mashumba.

Maritzburg United: Mpandle; Sanoka, De Reuck, Allie, Kunene (Shandu 81'), Kutumela (Claasen 56'), Buchanan, Timm, Jappie (Morgan 73'), Lea'alafa, Moseamedi.