Polokwane edge 10-man Bay

Polokwane City claimed a narrow 1-0 win over 10-man Richards Bay in a DStv Premiership match played at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday night.

Rise and Shine walked away with the three points thanks to a goal in injury time at the end of the first half from Mokibelo Ramabu, while the Natal Rich Boyz will reflect on an early red card for Mthobisi Mngomezulu – which left them fighting an uphill battle for the majority of the game – as well as several spurned scoring chances.

The result sees Polokwane rise to fifth place on the log with 13 points from eight matches, while Bay remain in 15th (the relegation playoff berth) with six points from nine matches.

The first genuine threat on goal came from Richards Bay in the fifth minute, with Sibusiso Mthethwa picking up a loose ball following a free kick, turning and firing off an effort from a tight angle which grazed the frame of the goal.

The hosts were reduced to 10 men in the 15th minute when Mthobisi Mngomezulu was shown a straight red card for a studs-up tackle which caught the ankle of City defender Bulelani Nikani – his challenge was not a malicious one, but reckless enough to justify an immediate dismissal.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Bay looked the more fluid attacking team and nearly claimed the lead on the half-hour mark when Sanele Barns played in a low cross from the right and Somila Ntsundwana – at the second attempt – managed a low shot on target which was brilliantly saved by Polokwane goalkeeper Manuel Sapunga.

FOURTH LEAGUE WIN FOR RISE AND SHINE

City had to wait until injury time at the end of the first half before their first truly penetrating attack, and they duly capitalised to claim the lead: Oswin Appollis played a teasing low cross from the left and Mokibelo Ramabu arrived at the back post to provide a close-range finish for 1-0.

Bay managed to hold off further City attacks through the first 25 minutes of the second half and then almost claimed an equaliser out of nowhere, with substitute Letsie Koapeng volleying just over the target after a long ball out of defence.

On 82 minutes the hosts created a great chance to level the game when a slick passing move handed Boikanyo Komane a clear sight of goal, but his strike was pushed away by Sapunga.

And less than 60 seconds later Koapeng met a cross from Barns and sent a header inches wide of the post – with Sapunga left standing.

The hosts had further half chances in what remained of the game, but Rise and Shine were able to hold out and secure a fourth league victory of the campaign.

Polokwane will be in DStv Premiership action this coming Sunday, 8 October, with a match away to Sekhukhune United, while Bay’s next league match is at home to Cape Town City on 29 October.

Richards Bay 0

Polokwane City (1) 1 (Ramabu 45+3’)

Bay: Magoola, Dlamini, Komane, Mthethwa, Dube, Mhlongo (Mabaso 70’), Mohomi (Mbuthuma 27’), Mabua, Barns, Mngomezulu, Ntsundwana (Koapeng 53’)

City: Sapunga, Matuludi, Nikani, Nkaki, Ndlovu (F. Baloyi 76’), Ramabu, Mashikinya (Ngwepe 90+3’), Maphangule, Mabena (Kambala 76’), Appollis (Nkwe 88’), Mapfumo