Polokwane City produced a dominant performance against Limpopo rivals Magesi to claim the title of Kings of Polokwane, winning 2-0 at the Seshego Stadium in Polokwane on Friday.
Rise and Shine ended a streak of three winless games in the Betway Premiership to remain seventh on the log and get their second league win over their local rivals.
Things are not looking good for new Magesi boss Allan Freese, who lost his second game in charge. Dikwena tša Meetse are now 10 games without a win in all competitions and are languishing at the bottom of the Betway Premiership table.
Mokibelo Ramabu set the tone for Polokwane city in the fourth minute with a long range effort that bounced awkwardly before reaching Magesi captain Elvis Chipezeze, but the goalkeeper managed to punch it away.
From the resulting corner, Bonginkosi Dlamini took a strike from the edge of the area but could not find the target.
In the 20th minute, Thabelo Tshikweta came close to finding an opener with a headed effort. The striker got up well up, but his glancing header wide thanks to a touch from a defender.
Ghanaian Samuel Darpoh was shown a yellow card in the 22nd minute for reckless challenge in the middle of the park, meaning he will miss Magesi’s next match with a suspension.
In his first appearance since 3 December, Ramabu put Rise and Shine ahead with his second goal of the season. The visitors played a wide ball into Dlamini in the box, with the ball spilling into Ramabu’s path. The 28-year-old made no mistake from close range.
Polokwane City claim a comfortable win over Magesi 🟠🔥#SSDiski | #BetwayPrem pic.twitter.com/rAABlm1ZUV
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 27, 2026
Dlamini and Ramabu continued to create chaos for the Magesi defence in the 31st minute. Dlamini switched direction of play, perfectly finding Ramabu charging into the area, whose effort travelled narrowly across the face of goal.
Dikwena tša Meetse had a chance of their own in the 41st minute. Mcedi Vandala played the ball across the edge of the area from the wing to the middle. Kgohatso Mariba stepped over the ball, leaving it for Darpoh who hit first time. However, he was leaning back and sent his shot just over the bar.
Darpoh was open in the same spot in the 45th minute, found by Edmore Chirambadare, but this time his effort took a deflection off of Bulelani Nikani and hit the bar, much to the delight of wrong-footed goalkeeper Lindokuhle Mathebula.
The visitors kept their foot on the gas to start the second half, keeping the hosts under pressure.
In the 58th minute, Ramabu was found in space and with time on the right side of the box, but sliced his effort, sending it wide and missing another opportunity to bag a second goal.
Rise and Shine should have doubled their lead a minute later. Thabang Matuludi floated a perfect cross to find the unmarked Tshikweta in front of goal. However, the striker’s effort was blocked by John Mokone.
Darpoh continued to try and drive the hosts forward, finding substitute Nyakala Raphadu in the area but his touch was too heavy, taking the ball away before he could shoot.
In the 71st minute, Polokwane City’s Rodney Maphangule received a yellow card, meaning he will miss his side’s next game.
The visitors doubled their lead in the 73rd minute as Matuludi produced a goal of the season contender. The Bafana Bafana man smashed a free kick from the edge of the area into the top right corner, giving Chipezeze no chance and almost taking the net off with his powerful strike.
Polokwane City should have added another in the 80th minute, as Ramabu found Tshikweta in the middle of the box. Tshikweta had all the time in the world to pick his spot but dragged his shot wide.
Rise and Shine are next in action against title hopefulls Orlando Pirates at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Wednesday.
Magesi’s quest for a third league win this season continues as they face AmaZulu at the Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban on Wednesday.
Magesi 0
Polokwane City (1) 2 (Ramabu 24’, Matuludi 74’)
Magesi: E. Chipezeze, J. Mokone, T. Makgoga, M. Buthelezi, T. Mashigo (N. Raphadu 64’), K. Mariba (K. Muvhango 85’), S. Darpoh, S. Ndlozi, M. Vandala (L. Mashiane 64’), L. Mtshali (S. Luthuli 46’), E. Chirambadare (K. Mahlasela 64’)
Polokwane City: L. Mathebula, T. Matuludi, T. Nkwe, L. Nkaki, B. Nikani, M. Kambala, B. Mnguni (P. Marema 72’), R. Maphangule (J. Mutudza 88’), S. Ramabu, B. Dlamini, T. Tshikweta