Royal AM bounced back from back-to-back defeats in the DStv Premiership to defeat Polokwane City 3-2 on Sunday afternoon.
There were no wholesale changes made by the host, with only Mondli Mpoto, Ayanda Jiyane, Zukile Mkhize and Levy Mashiane restore while City were unchanged from the draw at AmaZulu.
A delayed start had Royal’s Ayabulela Maxwele down and in need of treatment due to a knock but eventually recovered and continued playing again.
Both teams looked to open up each other later on, but it was Rise and Shine that got the clearest of chances when Douglas Mapfumo steered Simon Ramabu’s cutback high and wide.
Rise and Shine pushed up again right on the half-hour mark and had Oswin Appollis snapped a knockdown from Thabang Matuludi wide of the mark.
Thwihli Thwahla launched a succession of chances on the stroke of halftime where a free-kick in a decent area by Jiyane shaved the post.
Skipper Kabelo Mahlasela came close too later on after a ball in by Mashiane from a set-play saw him cut in space to go high and wide of the intended target.
Matuludi got another opening for the host minutes past the break when he nodded a cross from Mabena beyond Mpoto’s goal.
Sedwyn George came good for the host ten minutes later when from an identical position in the box, he drew a cutback to fire in off a supply from Thabo Matlaba.
With the host ahead, Rise and Shine turned to the bench for inspiration and brought on Sibusiso Tshabalala and Rodney Maphangule.
It woke them up and culminated in the equaliser when Mapfumo combined to latch onto Appollis’ pass and finished from the centre of the box.
The visitors completed the turnaround when Mapfumo completed his brace on 77 minutes, setting up a nervy finish.
Royal AM had the last laugh as Wandile Mabuza entered the box to meet a set-piece and find the bottom-corner with three minutes to go.
Mkhize went on to bag the winning goal in stoppage when he finished off Khethukuthula Ndlovu’s low cross to secure the points and leave Rise and Shine empty handed.
Confirmed line-ups:
Royal AM: Mpoto, Jiyane, Mahlasela, Mabuza, Matlaba, Mkhize, Mosmi, Magaqa, Maxwele, Mashiane, George
Subs: Nyame, Lingwati, Kobedi, Shezi, Ncobeni, Mpisane, Dlamini, Ndlovu, Sera
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