Absa Premiership
Result: Free State Stars 1-2 Polokwane City
Date: 29 April 2017
Venue: Goble Park
Free State Stars missed the chance to pull clear of the relegation zone, after they suffered a 2-1 loss to Polokwane City at Goble Park.
Rise and shine opened the scoring in the first 40 seconds of the match. Vusimuzi Mngomezulu capitalised from a horrible error from Ea Lla Koto at the back to score from close range, 0-1.
Ea Lla Koto were now chasing the match at home and it was certainly not a good start.
In the 10th minute Sthembiso Dlamini had an opportunity to bring Stars into the match but his right footed shot from just outside the box went narrowly wide at the far post.
Jabulani Maluleke nearly punished Ea Lla Koto with a free-kick after 19 minutes, but he missed the target by inches over the crossbar.
In the 36th minute Ea Lla Koto equalised through the boot of Dlamini. Rise and Shine goalkeeper George Chigova made a blunder by fluffing a cross and Dlamini caught the goalkeeper of his line from 25-yards out.
However the goal celebrations were short-lived as Rise and Shine grabbed the lead again shortly thereafter. Rodney Ramagalela slotted home from close range, after a fine run.
The match went into the break with the visitors Rise and Shine leading 1-2.
In the 55th minute Thokozani Sekotlong had a chance to bring parity when he went through on goal but Chigova quickly intercepted and averted danger.
Thela Ngobeni produced a great save to deny Mngomezulu in a shot that had a goal written all over it after 68 minutes.
Serame Letsoaka's charges were in control for most of the second half as they looked for a way back into the encounter.
Stars pushed for winner in the closing stages and were camped the visitors' half, but they failed to carve out another chance as Polokwane held on for the win.
Here's how they lined up:
Stars: 32. Ngobeni, 5. Masehe, 24. Tlhone, 11. Jantjie, 50. Vilakazi, 35. Teyise, 4. Makhaula, 26. Dlamini, 7. Sekotlong, 38. Anas, 19. Mbhele.
Polokwane: 1. Chigova, 2. Semenya, 23. Tema, 24. Hlongwane, 20. Phiri, 21. Seabi, 22. Mbonani, 17. Ramagalela, 29. Musona, 9. Maluleke, 16. Mngomezulu.
