Kaizer Chiefs made it two wins out of two in the DStv Premiership this week following a nervy 1-0 win over Polokwane City at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
In what was a tightly contested affair throughout the 90 minutes, it was Pule Mmodi’s 51st minute strike that separated the two sides on the day.
Pule Mmodi's goal gives Kaizer Chiefs the win against Polokwane City ✌
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The game commenced at a timid pace at the Peter Mokaba Stadium as Polokwane City and Kaizer Chiefs battled it out for the ball in the middle of the park.
According to the possession statistics, Amakhosi held most of the ball during the first 10 minutes of the match. However, it was Rise and Shine who produced the first goal-scoring opportunities of the match, with Douglas Mapfumo and Owsin Appollis testing Bruce Bvuma from range.
Chiefs continued to hold most of the ball after the 20th minute mark, much of which were in their own half. While Amakhosi struggled to make their way up field, Polokwane defended deep in warding off the visitors' attacking advancements.
The game reached a tacky period after the half-hour mark, with neither side able to create notable goal-scoring opportunities going forward. The score remained at 0-0 at halftime with there being little to separate Polokwane and Chiefs at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Chiefs took the lead five minutes after the restart, with Pule Mmodi breaking the deadlock after a swift attacking move inside the Polokwane half.
After collecting the ball on the left hand flank, Mmodi found himself driving the ball toward the edge of the Rise and Shine area before unleashing a powerful right-footed shot that left Manuel Sapunga beaten at his near post.
Pule Mmodi gives Kaizer Chiefs the lead in Polokwane ✌
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Mmodi proved to be Amakhosi’s attacker-in-chief in the second half and often troubled the Polokwane City back line, particularly on the left-hand flank. With an hour played in Polokwane, the glamour boys dominated the game with Polokwane City proving minimal attacking threat.
Polokwane City came close to levelling matters in the 76th minute, with Appollis testing Bvuma from range with a stinging shot from outside the area.
Amakhosi played under the cosh for large periods toward the end of the encounter but managed to keep their lead intact to secure maximum points on away soil.
Polokwane City: 0
Kaizer Chiefs: (0) 1 (Mmodi 51’)
Polokwane City: Sapunga, Matuludi, Nikani, Nkaki, Ndlovu, Ramabu, Maphangule (Kambala 83’), Mashikinya, Appollis, Mapfumo (Chauke 73’), Tlolane
Kaizer Chiefs: Bvuma, Hlanti, Edmilson, Msimango, Frosler, Ngcobo (Castillo 73’), Mthethwa, Maart, Mmodi (Ngcobo 87’), Chivaviro (Gonzalez 67’), Saile (Shabalala 66’)