Absa Premiership
Result: Bidvest Wits 0-1 Polokwane City
Date: 21 September 2018
Venue: Bidvest Stadium
A stunning free-kick from Jabulani Maluleke guided ten-man Polokwane City to a shock 1-0 win over Absa Premiership leaders Bidvest Wits.
The Clever Boys came into the clash looking to bounce back after dropping points at Maritzburg United, while Rise and Shine were looking to build on their win against Free State Stars.
Bongile Booi netted the winner for City in their last game and he nearly made it two in two by steering a header wide of Darren Keet's upright after 10 minutes.
Ten minutes later, the visitors were reduced to ten men when Salulani Phiri was shown a straight red card for a dangerous challenge on Thabang Monare.
Despite the numerical advantage, the Clever Boys found it tough to carve out clear-cut chances as the visitors opted to sit deep in their own half.
Shortly before the break , Wits managed to carve out a couple chances at goal, although Rise and Shine shot-stopper George Chigova pulled off two superb saves to deny Mxolisi Macuphu and Monare to keep the scores level at halftime.
While struggling to make any in-roads upfront, Gavin Hunt introduced Scottish striker Simon Murray for Macuphu on the hour mark, looking to break the deadlock.
The deadlock was broken in the 75th minute, but it was not Wits who took the lead. The visitors took a surprising lead thanks to a superb free-kick by Jabulani Maluleke, much against the run of play.
The Clever Boys threw numbers forward in search of an equaliser in the closing stages, but City held out to the end to claim their third win of the season.
Here's how they lined up:
Wits: 16. Keet, 3. Hlatshwayo, 6. Johannes, 8. Monare, 11. Hotto, 13. Hlanti, 15. Mkhwanazi, 17, Alexander, 21. Domingo, 28. Motupa, 24. acuphu
Subs: 1. Mhlongo, 2. Mere, 5. Weidlich, 7. Pelembe, 9. Murray, 27. Ritchie, 37. Dzvukamanja.
Polokwane: 1. Chigova, 24. Hlongwane, 27. Motloung, 22. Mbonani, 21. Seabi, 7. Booi, 14. Manaka, 20. Phiri, 8. Maluleke, 15. Musona, 17. Ramagalela.
Subs: 50. Ndlovu, 33. Sikhosana, 26. Nkili, 16. Mngomezulu, 13. Sikhondze, 4. Baloyi.
