Polokwane, Stellenbosch play out draw

Polokwane City and Stellenbosch FC played out a 1-1 draw in their Betway Premiership match at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday evening.

Stellies claimed the lead via a magnificent goal from Lehlohonolo Mojela, but they were pegged back by Thabang Matuludi’s leveller for Rise and Shine and forced to settle for a point.

The result sees Polokwane placed fifth on the log with seven points from four matches, while Stellenbosch are eighth with four points from their three league outings.

The first quarter of the match saw the teams cancel each other out, before Stellenbosch claimed the lead in the 26th minute with a stunning strike from Mojela.

The Stellies No 10 drove forward down the left, exchanged passes with the overlapping Fawaaz Basasien, and then whipped an unstoppable shot into the back of the net which left Polokwane goalkeeper Manuel Sapunga rooted to the spot.

City worked their way back into the game and drew level in the final minute of regulation time before the interval, with Thabang Matuludi’s long-range drive deflecting off a defender and wrong-footing Stellenbosch goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke before hitting the back of the net, leaving the game 1-1 at halftime.

Rise and Shine opted for a double change at the start of the second half, with Hlayisi Chauke and Bonginkosi Dlamini introduced off the bench.

The former player had a great chance to put the hosts ahead just past the hour mark when he wriggled past a challenge and found himself with only Masuluke to beat, but the goalkeeper made a brave block to keep the game level.

With just under 10 minutes to play, Polokwane blew another opportunity to go in front when a free kick picked out Manuel Kambala, but the Mozambican failed to hit the target from close range.

The teams will return to Premiership action late in October, with Stellenbosch away to Orlando Pirates and Polokwane at home to Mamelodi Sundowns. The Cape side, though, will first face Pirates in the MTN8 final in Durban next weekend.

Polokwane City (1) 1 (Matuludi 45’)

Stellenbosch FC (1) 1 (Mojela 26’)

POLOKWANE: Sapunga, Matuludi, Nikani, Nkaki, Nkwe, Kambala, Daniels (Ramabu 74’), Alexander (Maphangule 68’), Tshabalala (Chauke 46’), Marema (Raphadu 68’), Appollis (Dlamini 46’)

STELLENBOSCH: Masuluke, Moloisane (Jurgens 46’), Mcaba, Toure, Basadien, Titus (Phili 71’), Nduli (Jabaar 71’), Butsaka, Barns, Mojela (Cupido 71’), De Jong (Palace 84’)