Nikani fires Polokwane past AmaZulu

Polokwane City bounced back to winning ways in the Betway Premiership when they edged out AmaZulu FC 1-0 in a match played at the Princess Magogo Stadium on Tuesday night.

The victory elevated Rise and Shine to the fifth spot in the league standings after recording their fifth win of the season.

The Limpopo side's next match is against champions Mamelodi Sundowns in Rustenburg on 23 November.

Usuthu, on the other hand, slipped down to the sixth spot in the standings after registering their third defeat of the campaign.

The KwaZulu-Natal giants will be determined to return to winning ways when they host Siwelele FC on 22 November.

Having won their last two matches, Usuthu were unsurprisingly oozing with confidence and got off to a bright start as they searched for an early goal, but it was Rise and Shine who broke the deadlock in the 15th minute.

Goalkeeper Darren Johnson could not hold on to a corner-kick which was played into his area and Bulelani Nikani was there to hit the back of the net from close range.

Polokwane then held on to their slender lead and they were 1-0 up at the interval.

Rise and Shine did not sit back and defend their lead after the restart. Johnson was a busy man as he was called into the action in the 52nd minute and 78th minute, denying Lebohang Nkaki and Sibusiso Tshabalala, respectively.

Coach Arthur Zwane introduced Wandile Dube and Andiswa Sithole with 11 minutes left as AmaZulu looked to snatch a late equalising goal.

However, Polokwane stood firm at the back in the dying minutes of the match and they claimed a 1-0 win on the night.

AmaZulu 0

Polokwane (1) 1 (Nikani 15')

AmaZulu: Johnson, Radebe, Hanamub, Mthethwa, Allan (Zungu 10'), Hlangabeza (Sithole 79'), Mbanjwa, Ngcobo (Dube 79'), Mashigo (Thabede 61'), Maqokolo, Ekstein

Polokwane: Bwire, Matuludi, Nkaki, Nikani, Nkwe, Kambala (Kelepu 57'), Maphangule, Ramabu, Mashinini (Dlamini 46'), Tshabalala (Mashiane 87'), Moremi