Polokwane City halt Downs express

Football | Absa Premiership

 

Polokwane City completed the biggest upset of the season so far when they beat Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday night in an Absa Premiership match.
Sundowns left-back Tebogo Langerman scored an own goal which proved to be the only goal of the match.
Sundowns had to make a sudden change to their line up with their skipper Alje Schut being withdrawn from the match due to a sudden illness. Experienced Zambian international keeper Kennedy Mweene took over the arm band.
Sundowns had their first sight at goal in the 13th minute when explosive winger Khama Billiat tried an audacious strike when he nearly caught out City keeper Modiri Marumo from way out on the right flank, but the ball just brushed the outside of the roof as it went over the target.


Bongani Zungu should have given Sundowns the lead in the 21st minute when his glancing header just went inches wide off of goal from just six-yards out on goal from an excellent Dove Wome set piece cross.
Zungu had another go at goal in the 27th minute when he skilfully beat a few markers in the box and made space for himself to shoot from close range, but his shot was easily saved by Marumo.
In the dying stages of the first half, City had Sundowns under immense pressure and the Sundowns defence finally gave in.
Galagbwe Moyana put in a dangerous cross into the box and Downs defender Tebogo Langerman unfortunately conceded an own goal as the ball bounced off him, 1-0 to the home side.
Wome was inches from drawing ‘Downs level on the hour mark, but his curling free kick from the left side just missed the target as it went wide.
From then onwards Sundowns coach threw in attacking options as Teko Modise and Katlego Mphela were sent in search of an equaliser.

It was not to be for Downs, who are five time PSL champions, as they suffered their first league loss of the season.
Mosimane’s men came down crashing to earth after they had defeated AmaZulu 7-1 in midweek.
As for City, who are in their maiden season in top flight football, they picked up their second win of the season and their first under the guidance of coach Boebie Solomons in his second match in charge of the team.
Polokwane City (1)1 Langerman 43’ (OG)
Mamelodi Sundowns (0)0
Teams: Polokwane City: Marumo, Molekwane, Mngqibisa, Tshilo, Lichaba, Motsiane, Moyana, Mdluli, Nzimande (Mncwango 81’), Tlolane (Senamela 58’), Rakhale (Molala 70’)
Mamelodi Sundowns: Mweene, Langerman, Arendse, Moon, Malajila (Mashaba 46’), Wome (Mphela 69’), Kekana (Modise 59’), Billiat, Zungu, Mashego, Sumaila