Polokwane too strong for Siwelele
Polokwane City bounced back to winning ways when they defeated Bloemfontein Celtic 3-0 at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Goals by captain Jabu Maluleke, striker Puleng Tlolane and midfielder Cole Alexander from both halves gave the Citizens the deserved win following their 5-0 defeat at the hand of current league champions Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday night.
Clinton Larsen’s men took the game to the hosts as early at the 10th minute when the Limpopo side conceded a free-kick and a corner. However, Keagan Ritchie could not cause troubles for City’s defence.
In the 26th minute Siwelele continued to pile pressure on Rise and Shine as Thapelo Morena sent in a cross, but Rendani Ndou made a clearance. Two minutes later, on-form midfielder Cole Alexander unleashed a powerful shot, but it went wide not giving Patrick Tignyemb problems.
With five minutes left to the interval, skipper Maluleke netted an opener for the hosts with a beautiful right foot finish, assisted by Kabelo Lichaba. Kostadin Papic’s men went to the tunnel enjoying the slender lead.
In the 64th minute, after coming from the halftime break, Rendani Ndou took a shot but his effort went wide of Tignyemb's posts. A minute later, Musa Nyatama took his shot and goalkeeper Modiri Marumo parried the effort to safety.
In the 69th minute, Tlolane found the net to increase his tally to nine goals in the league when he finished with his right foot.
Towards the dying minutes of the match, Alfred Ndengane went for glory and took a shot but it went off target, while City regained possession and Ndou gave Tignyemb something to work on but the Cameroonian safely held on.
With five minutes to wrap up the match, Alexander hammered the final nail in the coffin with a beautiful strike to give City a 3-0 lead, with an assist from substitute Sipho Jembula.
The victory takes the Polokwane side to position seven with 32 points, whiles the visitors are placed at sixth with 33 points.
Polokwane City (1) 3 (Maluleke 40’, Tlolane 69’, Alexander 85’)
Bloemfontein Celtic 0
Teams:>
Polokwane City: Marumo, Ndou (Mncwango 82’), Mthimkhulu, Dhladla (Molala 84’), Maluleke, Motumi, Langa, Monama (Jembula 45’), Lichaba, Alexander, Tlolane
Bloemfontein Celtic: Tignyemb, Ndengane, Fransman, Mzava, Jooste, Buchanan (Mogorosi 75’), Rikhotso, Morena, Nyatama, Ritchie, Manzini (Mhango 58’)