Polokwane City leave it late against Arrows

Polokwane City earned maximum points in their latest Betway Premiership fixture, following a dramatic 2-1 win against Golden Arrows at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Wednesday night.

A Siyanda Ndlovu goal put the visitors ahead in the 29th minute, while Polokwane City replied in the 72nd minute with a goal by Bonginkosi Dlamini.

Arrows ended the game with 10 men after Zakahle Xolani received his marching orders in the 63rd minute for handling the ball outside his goalkeeping zone.

Puleng Marema had the last say of the encounter after netting the winning goal in the 96th minute.

Rise and Shine settled early on the ball, while Golden Arrows sat back in soaking up the early pressure.

However, the home battled to create notable scoring chances in the first 15 minutes, while Arrows looked for the counter-attacking opportunity.

Abafana Bes’thende came close to opening the scoring in the 20th minute after Sabelo Sithole produced a right-footed shot on the edge of the area that summoned goalkeeper Brian Bwire into action.

INJURY-TIME WINNER

As Arrows grew into the game, the away side took the lead moments before the half-hour mark through Ndlovu, who capped off a powerful run into the area with a poke at the goalkeeper’s near post.

Manqoba Mngqithi’s men created numerous scoring opportunities before the break, nonetheless, the score remained 1-0 in their favour at the break.

Polokwane City saw much of the ball at the restart and made their attacking intentions known early.

Arrows were reduced to 10 men in the 63rd following a reactionary mistake by goalkeeper Zakahle Ngcobo.

With Polokwane City on the attack, Ngcobo deliberately handled the ball outside the 18-yard-area in an attempt to take one for his teammates.

With an extra player to their advantage, Polokwane City’s pressure paid off in the 72nd minute as Dlamini added his name to the scoreboard following a sustained period of ball possession on the edge of the Arrows box.

Rise and Shine piled on the pressure as the 80th minute approached and produced countless attempts at goal which left the Arrows’ backline in sixes and sevens.

Then, with virtually the last kick of the game, Marema scored the winner deep into stoppage time after getting on the end of a well-worked passing move inside the area.

Polokwane City: (0) 2 (Dlamini 72’, Marema 90+6’)

Golden Arrows: (1) 1 (Ndlovu 29’)

Polokwane City: Bwire, Manthosi (Matuludi 60’), Mvundlela, Nkaki, Nkwe, Kambala, Maphangule (Ramabu 81’), Daniels, Moremi (Tlolane 34’), Motsa (Dlamini 33’), Mashiane (Tshabalala 60’)

Golden Arrows: Ngcobo, Mabaso, Jiyane, Mantshiyane, Matlaba (Komara 68’), Sithole (Karlese 60’), Dube (Shitlolo 4’), Dlamini, Maxwele, Junior Dion, Ndlovu (Maova 67’)