Polokwane City humble Highlands Park

by Staff Reporter

Saturday Apr 27, 2019. 17:42

Polokwane City overcame Highlands Park 2-0 in an Absa Premiership match at the Makhulong Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

As a result, Rise and Shine climbed up to fifth spot on the league table, while the Lions of the North remained eighth on the log.

The hosts threatened first through their Zimbabwean striker Walter Musona, who tested Highlands goalkeeper Marlon Heugh.

The 28-year-old shot-stopper made a decent save to deny the Polokwane marksman seven minutes into the encounter.

The Lions of the North also looked dangerous every time they pushed forward and they came very close to scoring through Lindokuhle Mbatha.

The experienced winger's curling long-range shot hit the crossbar, with Polokwane keeper George Chigova well beaten.

However, the deadlock was broken on the half-hour mark following a mistake by the Highlands defence.

Musona pounced and beat Heugh with a low shot make it 1-0 to Polokwane and it was his fifth league goal of the season.

Highlands tried to respond with a goal, but Polokwane stood firm at the back and the score was 1-0 to the visitors at half-time.

Owen Da Gama, the Highlands coach, decided to pull out Mbatha and he introduced Jabulani Shongwe after the restart.

However, Polokwane continued to attack and they managed to double their lead through Puleng Tlolane.

The long-serving Polokwane striker beat Heugh from close range to make it 2-0 to the visitors with 14 minutes left on the clock.

Highlands then launched late attacks, but Chigova made three great saves to deny Peter Shalulile and Shongwe to ensure that Polokwane emerged 2-0 winners on the day.

Highlands 0
Polokwane (1) 2 (Musona 31', Tlolane 76')

Highlands: Heugh, Fransman, Ramoraka (Williams 65'), Mokoena, Motsepe, Mbatha (Shongwe 59'), Mbunjana, Mahlangu, Ndoro (Nyembe 59'), Mkhabela, Shalulile.

Polokwane: Chigova, Nkili, Mbonani, Mvelase, Motloung, Manaka, Phiri (Seabi 77'), Maluleke, Mashumba (Anas 72'), Tlolane, Musona (W.Maluleke 87').