Polokwane City drop two points away to Pirates

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Saturday Jan 20, 2018. 23:02

Despite taking an early lead, Polokwane City could only conjure a 1-1 draw against Orlando Pirates in the Absa Premiership on Saturday night at Orlando Stadium.

An early strike through Dominic Chungwa handed Rise and Shine a point as they sit at number 12 on the log standings with 19 points from 17 games.

On the other hand, substitute Lyle Foster scored a late equaliser to help the hosts secure a point.

Coach Milutin Sredojevic's side failed to deal with a corner from the right flank and the loose ball fell in Chungwa's path who unleashed a volley to beat Jackson Mabokgwane for the game's opener.

On the half-hour mark, Mabokgwane was tested from a distance by Rodney Ramagalela from miles away, but the net minder swallowed the long range effort with ease.

In their response, Thabiso Kutumela broke free and burst in behind the Rise and Shine defence, but the attacker could not beat George Chigova who made a good save in the 43rd minute.

Bernard Molekwa’s men went to the tunnel leading 1-0.

The second half saw the Buccaneers changing gears as they upped the pace of the match, yet their decision making left a lot to be desired.

However, it was Mabokgwane who was called on to make a save in the 72nd minute when he collected Muhammad Nsulumba’s shot from range.

The Soweto giants were running out of time in the last 10 minutes and their crosses failed to reach the intended recipients in the box.

Sredojevic introduced Foster, Thembinkosi Lorch and Ayanda Nkosi in aim to exert more pressure on Rise and Shine’s defence.

Resulting from the changes, Foster equalised in the 86th minute when he pounced on a ball in the box to beat Chigova with a powerful effort that rattled the roof of the net, 1-1.

Resulting from the hard fought point, Pirates now occupy number five in the league with 27 points from 18 league games.

Orlando Pirates: (0) 1 (Foster 86’)

Polokwane City: (1) 1 (Chungwa 18’)

Orlando Pirates: Mabokgwane, Shitolo, Nyauza, Dube (Nkosi 67’), Maela (Foster 73’), Mobara, Nyatama, Makola, Memela, Kutumela (Lorch 56’), Shonga.

Polokwane City: Chigova, Maponyane, Semenya, Ravhuhali, Tshilo, Seabi, Ramagalela, Manaka, Chungwa (Nsulumba 61’), Maluleka, Musona.