Moroka Swallows were without head coach Steve Komphela as they resumed their DStv Premiership campaign with a 1-0 loss to Polokwane City on Saturday afternoon.
Swallows had new signings Ntsikelelo Nyauza and Letsie Koapeng in a largely familiar line-up despite the contract saga that started in December last year.
However, the Soweto side were without head coach Komphela on the bench, as assistant coached Musa Nyatama and Ditheko Mototo were in charge.
City, meanwhile, had Oswin Appollis in the line-up despite only returning with Bafana Bafana from the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday and new signing Cole Alexander started from the bench.
The Birds took to the field for the first time since 23 December after they could not honour two fixtures against Mamelodi Sundowns and Golden Arrows.
In spite of the squad changes at Swallows, they were organized in the early stages and looked to combine going forward but they were not progressing often to the last third.
Rise and Shine focused more on their defence as chances were few and far between in the first stanza and the sides went to the half-time break goalless.
Polokwane made changes from the break, as they brought on Ndumiso Mabena and gave Alexander his second debut in places of Nyakala Raphadu and Given Mashikinya in straight swaps.
The visitors eventually broke the deadlock just before the hour-mark after Mokibelo Ramabu pounced on a rebound from a free-kick after goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi could not hold onto a set-piece.
Swallows looked to turn things around immediately with a tactical and attacking change, as Gabadinho Mhango came on for Lantshene Phalane.
However, it was Polokwane who were more threatening to get the second goal, as the hosts lacked creativity in attack.
The Birds were desperate to get forward but could not maintain momentum as they went down 1-0.
Confirmed line-ups:
Polokwane City: Sapunga, Matuludi, Ndlovu, Nikani, Nkaki, Kambala, Ramabu, Mashikinya, Mapfumo, Raphadu, Appollis
Subs: Mokwena, Thuto, Nkwe, Baloyi, Maphangule, Alexander, Nana, Tshabalala, Mabena
Moroka Swallows: Akpeyi, Mngonyama, Nyauza, Tshanini, Mphahlele, Mthethwa, Phalane, Mtshali, Everson, Damons, Koapeng
Subs: Sandu, Maponya, Mbanjwa, Mahlomko, V.Sibiya, S. Sibiya, Shwabule, Mhango
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