Polokwane out to avoid hat-trick of defeats

by Graeme Jackson

Thursday Aug 16, 2018. 10:34

Polokwane City will aim to avoid a hat-trick of defeats in the Absa Premiership when they host derby rivals Baroka FC at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on 18 August 2018, kick-off at 15h00.

Polokwane suffered their second straight loss at the start of the campaign when they were beaten 2-0 at home by Mamelodi Sundowns on August 7, with the Tshwane side claiming the points thanks to goals from Ricardo Nascimento and Lebohang Maboe.

Rise and Shine’s only previous match as hosts was the defeat to the Brazilians, and they will be determined to up a better showing in front of their own fans – especially with local bragging rights up for grabs.

Baroka played to a first draw of the season when they were held 1-1 at home by Kaizer Chiefs on August 14. The Limpopo side will feel they should have claimed all three points given the chances they created.

Bakgaga’s only game on the road this campaign saw them beaten 1-0 at AmaZulu on the first weekend of the month, though this match at the Peter Mokaba Stadium will hardly feel like an away day.

In head-to-head stats, Polokwane and Baroka have met in four league matches since 2016/17. All four ended in draws, leaving the teams with a dead-even record heading into this clash.

Last season Rise and Shine’s home match ended in a goalless stalemate, while the return game with Bakgaga as hosts finished 1-1, with goals from Robin Ngalande and Rodney Ramagalela.

Polokwane’s line-up from their 2-0 loss to Sundowns on August 7: Chigova, Kalake (Tlolane 77'), Ravhuhali, Motloung, Mbonani, Seabi, Ramagalela, Phiri (Sikhondze 58'), Mngomezulu, Maluleke, Wagaba (Musona 62').

Baroka’s line-up from their 1-1 draw with Chiefs on August 14: A. Dlamini, Kgoetyane, Gebhardt, Banda, Madubanya, Makume, Chawapiwa, Mdantsane, Chivaviro, Moseki (Makgaka 27', Molapo 78')), Kgaswane (Matloga 70').