Stars edge City
An 80th minute own goal by Vukile Mngqibisa handed Free State Stars a valuable 1-0 victory over fellow strugglers Polokwane City in an Absa Premiership game played at Goble Park on Saturday afternoon.
Reuben Thebakang and Adam Basit returned to the starting line-up for Free State Stars while Mongezi Bobe and Bokang Thlone had to make with a place on the bench.
Meanwhile, Sififso Mbhele, Maxwell Molala anad Mothusi Gopane were included in the starting XI for Polokwane City by Boebie Solomons.
Both sides went into the encounter knowing that victory would eliminate the chance of them slipping into the relegation places this weekend, while a draw would give Golden Arrows an opportunity to leapfrog both sides if they were to stun SuperSport United.
Free State Stars started the brighter of the two sides, creating a couple of opportunities through Basit and Danny Venter in the opening minutes, but on either occasion City goalkeeper Modiri Marumo was up to the task.
Ea Lla Koto dominated most of the first stanza but Rise and Shine showed glimpses of promise, especially on the counter through Mothusi Gopane.
The first half failed to really take fire with both sides limited to half chances.
Steve Komphela was clearly the more frustrated at the interval as his side were unable to break down a stubborn City defence despite bossing possession.
Polokwane City created the first chance of the second half through Galabgwe Moyana in the 53rd minute.
Puleng Tlolane made a sniping run through the Stars defence before laying the ball off to Moyana, whose resulting turn and shot narrowly missed the target.
Esau Kanyenda, who came on as a second half substitute, should’ve given the visitors the lead just after the hour mark.
Moyana’s precise ball into the area picked out Kanyenda but the striker was unable to find the target with only Daniel Agyei to beat.
Ea Lla Koto took the lead through a Vukile Mngqibisa own goal 10 minutes from time.
Anver Esterhuizen left a couple of defenders in his wake before setting up Mthokozisi Yende. The former Kazier Chiefs striker’s shot took a deflection of Mngqibisa before ending up in the back of the net.
City piled forward in the final few minutes in search of the equaliser but Daniel Agyei kept the Rise and Shine attack at bay to secure the three points for the home side.
The win moves Stars up to ninth spot on the log, Rise and Shine slip to 14th.
Free State Stars (0) 1 (Mngqibisa [OG] 80’)
Polokwane City 0
Free State Stars: Agyei; Ouro-Akoriko, Masehe, Shabalala, Thebakang, Mashego, Kerspuy, Nomandela (Esterhuizen 61’), Venter, Abdul-Basit (Yende 71’), Abraw
Polokwane City: Marumo; Mbhele (Hlongwa 78’), Mngqibisa, Tshilo, Molala, Moyana, Gopane, Lichaba, Mdluli, Nzimande (Kanyenda 58’), Tlolane (Senamela 72’)
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