Polokwane fight back to deny Galaxy

Polokwane City fought back to hold TS Galaxy to a 1-1 draw in a Betway Premiership match played at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday evening.

The draw left Rise and Shine placed fifth in the league standings as they extended their winless run to three matches. Polokwane will be hoping to snap their winless run when they host Kaizer Chiefs on 8 December.

The Rockets, on the other hand, are placed 14th in the standings and they are undefeated in their last three matches. Adnan Beganovic's side will be looking to bounce back to winning ways when they host AmaZulu FC on 7 December.

Rise and Shine got off to a bright start as they searched for an early goal and they were able to test Ivory Coast international Ira Eliezer Tape in the Rockets' goal-posts. Ndamulelo Maphangule forced Tape into making a decent save in the 13th minute.

However, the Rockets finished the first half the stronger of the two teams with Mlungisi Mbunjana being denied by goalkeeper Manuel Sapunga in the 37th minute. However, Sapunga was beaten in first-half stoppage time as Dzenan Zajmovic scored to hand Galaxy a 1-0 lead at halftime.

Coach Phuti Mohafe decided to make changes before the start of the second half - introducing Sibusiso Tshabalala, Puleng Marema and Thato Letshedi at the same time as Polokwane looked to level matters in the second half.

Tshabalala and Marema proved to be inspired substitutes in the 84th minute. Polokwane's longest-serving player, Marema, set up Tshabalala who hit the back of the net to level matters and ultimately, the match ended in a 1-1 stalemate.

Polokwane (0) 1 (Tshabalala 84')

Galaxy (1) 1 (Zajmovic 45'+1)

Polokwane: Sapunga, Matuludi, Nkwe, Baloyi, Nkaki, Maphangule (Letshedi 46'), Ramabu (Marema 46'), Kambala, Chauke (Tshabalala 46'), Alexander (Seabi 68'), Appollis.

Galaxy: Tape, Monyai, Mahlangu M., Ndamane, Kabini, Mbunjana, Khiba, Letsoalo (Radebe 90'+1), Mbatha (Sebelebele 77'), Mahlangu S (Dithejane 90+4)., Zajmovic.