Polokwane City finally snapped a lengthy losing streak in the Absa Premiership after they defeated 10-man Chippa United 2-0 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Polokwane came into the match with nine straight defeats in the league but avoided the ignominy of a 10th successive ‘L’ thanks to second-half goals from Salulani Phiri and Charlton Mashumba.
The result moves Polokwane up to 11th place on the log, just one point and one position behind Chippa whose defeat meant an end to a run of five unbeaten matches which earned them 13 points from a possible 15.
It’s also a case of sweet revenge for coach Clinton Larsen, who was axed by Chippa earlier in the year but has now come back to haunt them at the helm of City.
Polokwane dominated the first half, enjoying greater possession and creating more chances than visiting Chippa. The likes of Bongile Booi, Mohammed Anas and Puleng Tlolane combined well and tested Chippa goalkeeper Veli Mothwa on a couple of occasions.
At the other end, George Chigova was the quieter of the two goalkeepers, but he was still required to keep out a couple of efforts from Augustine Kwem, who enjoyed little quality service but remained a major threat on the counter-attack.
Chippa struggled to rediscover the crisp passing and intensity of play they demonstrated on the back end of 2019, while Polokwane’s lack of confidence meant they were unable to put together any convincing spells of pressure, leaving the game goalless at the break.
Chippa suffered a major blow eight minutes into the second stanza when defensive midfielder Boikanyo Komane picked up his second yellow card of the game and was sent for an early shower, leaving the visitors a man short for a significant portion of the game.
And this disadvantage was exploited by Polokwane in the 65th minute. Salulani Phiri fired a shot beyond the reach of Mothwa after the hosts had built up pressure on the attack and forced Chippa onto the back foot.
Seven minutes later the Limpopo side killed off the game as a contest with a second goal. This time Booi did great work to tee up substitute Charlton Mashumba, who beat Mothwa again to make it 2-0 and ensure a first three-point haul for Polokwane since September.
The teams will return to Premiership action during midweek. Polokwane will host Orlando Pirates and Chippa United visiting another Limpopo side in Black Leopards.
In partnership with ANA and Sports Leo
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