Absa Premiership match report Mamelodi Sundowns vs Polokwane City

Polokwane created the first real chance of the game seven minutes in after winning the ball in midfield and breaking through Rodney Ramagalela, although his low drive flashed the wrong side of the post.

Sundowns then looked destined to open the scoring with 18 minutes gone as Percy Tau broke to the byline before cutting the ball back for Thokozani Sekotlong, only for the debutant to fail to make contact with the ball only six yards from a gaping net.

The former Free State Stars striker again came close moments later after once more being played in by Tau, but this time he saw his shot closed down point blank by the quick-thinking George Chigova in the City goal.

It was then Rise and Shine’s chance to get their fans on their feet as Ramagalele waltzed through the Sundowns area with too much ease, although he took far to long to get a shot off, allowing Motjeka Madisha the chance to make a vital tackle.

Ten minutes from the break, though, and Polokwane got their goal, albeit after a hint of fortune as Manyisa could only block Ramagalela’s shot straight back to the striker, who made no mistake at the second attempt to rifle home from a few feet out.

City came out the blocks flying and almost doubled their lead with four minutes of the second-half gone as Thabang Klaas was played clean through before taking a touch and letting fly, only for Denis Onyango to make a brilliant point-blank save.

However, with 55 minutes gone it would be the Brazilians who found the back of the net, the refereeing awarding an arguably harsh penalty after a handball from Thapelo Tshilo, with new signing George Lebese stepping up to slot home from 12 yards.

Pitso Mosimane’s men then came within a whisker of taking the lead for the first time in the game as a deep delivery was flicked to the far-post for Madisha, but Chigova was well placed to make a vital block.

However, it would be Polokwane who scored next, and in sublime fashion as Ramagelela flicked the ball up and over his marker before turning and hitting on the bounce, sending the ball looping over Onyango and into the back of the net.

Jabu Maluleke looked to work City’s third from a free-kick with around 10 minutes remaining, and although he got plenty of power on his shot, he was just lacking accuracy as the ball flashed over the crossbar.

Sundowns then won themselves a free-kick in virtually the same position at the other end with seven minutes remaining but Hlompho Kekana was also unable to find the target after curling wide of the mark.