Polokwane, Stars battle for three points

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Sep 14, 2018. 11:58

Polokwane City and Free State Stars will battle for three Absa Premiership points when they meet at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on 15 September 2018, kick-off at 20h15.

Polokwane recorded their first draw of the season when they were held 1-1 at Golden Arrows on August 29. The Limpopo side fought back from a goal down thanks to a first strike of the season from Rodney Ramagalela.

Rise and Shine have picked up three points from their home matches so far in 2018/19, losing 2-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns and beating Baroka FC by the same score.

Stars also recorded their first draw of the season on August 29, as they conceded a last-gasp goal to be held 2-2 at home by Cape Town City.

Ea Lla Koto have lost both of their games on the road this campaign, going down 3-0 at Bidvest Wits and 2-1 at AmaZulu.

In head-to-head stats, Polokwane and Stars have met in 10 league matches since 2013/14. Ea Lla Koto have claimed four wins compared to three for Rise and Shine, while three games have ended in draws. The Limpopo side has won just one of its five home matches in the rivalry, suffering three defeats in the process.

Last season Stars took four points off Polokwane, winning 3-2 in the Limpopo province (with a brace from Mohammed Anas) before playing to a goalless stalemate in the return game in the Free State.

Polokwane’s line-up from their 1-1 draw with Arrows on August 29: Chigova, Manaka, Mbonani, Motloung, Hlongwane, Seabi, Phiri, J. Maluleke, Ramagalela, Musona (Booi 46’), Anas.

Stars’ line-up from their 2-2 draw with City on August 29: Kwizera, Mobbie, Keita, Tema, Jantjie, Phungwayo, Makhaula, Masehe, Dlamini, Tchilimbou (Gandze 74’), Mosemaedi (Rodgers 87’).