Puleng Tlolane's first half strike handed Polokwane City a hard-fought 1-0 win over the University of Pretoria in the pair's Absa Premiership season opener in Pretoria on Saturday.

The striker rounded-off a great team goal that saw the ball moved from side-to-side and sunk into the back of the net, thanks to some superb interplay in the middle of the park.

Having beaten Tuks twice in the league last season, Polokwane kept their perfect record against AmaTuks, who look to be in for a difficult season in the country's top tier.

The pair took some time to get going and despite a lively to-and-fro from either side, neither could find the clinical touch inside their opponent's half.

Tuks eventually forced Polokwane goalkeeper Dino Visser into action when Thabo Mnyamane made a good run at the defence, before cutting inside onto his left foot, but shot straight at Visser, who made a straightforward stop at his feet.

A diminutive Cole Alexander then sparked the visitors into life after the half-hour mark when he sprayed a pass out wide, before a superb display of one-touch passing found Tlolane with the goal at his mercy, slotting home from a first-time effort, to round off a brilliant play from City.

Tuks struggled to make an sort of impact on the game after the break and looked out of sorts, with passes going astray, while attempts on goal came at a premium.

City conceded a number of corners following a host of promising attacks from the home side, but Tuks were again wasteful and failed to direct their subsequent efforts on target, in what was becoming a thoroughly frustrating afternoon for the Pretoria outfit.

Second half substitute Lucky Mathosi made a nuisance of himself deep in the Polokwane area but missed a fine chance when he headed high and wide of the mark in what looked to be Tuks' best chance of the half.

In the end, City saw out the last few minutes under a severe amount of pressure from the home side, and managed to walk away with maximum points to get their season off on the right foot.

University of Pretoria (0) 0
Polokwane City (1) 1 (Tlolane 32')

Tuks: Arubi, Kekana, Monyai, Shoyisa, Sibande (Nkwana 82'), Mosadi, Ketjijere (Mathosi 65'), Matsi, Ntombiayithethi, Mnyamane (Zwane 46'), Massa

City: Visser, Molekwane, Mngqibisa, Tshilo, Ngwepe, Nzimande, Mhlongo, Alexander, Gopane (Mcwango 70'), Jembula (Maluleke 88'), Tlolane (Ndou 76')