Mamelodi Sundowns suffered their first defeat of the Betway Premiership season after losing 1-0 to Polokwane City on Sunday afternoon.
Betway Premiership
Rsult: Polokwane City 1-0 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 27 October 2024
Venue: Old Peter Mokaba Stadium
Sundowns were without Lucas Ribeiro Costa due to suspension and his place was taken by Siyabonga Mabena, who joined returnees Iqraam Rayners and Tashreeq Matthews upfront.
Meanwhile, Teboho Mokoena and Khuliso Mudau dropped back to the bench, following The Brazilians' win over Royal AM in midweek.
Manqoba Mngqithi's charges had a slow start, as City looked more threatening in the early exchanges but goalkeeper Denis Onyango came out to snuff out danger a couple of times.
The Tshwane giants had their first chance at goal on 19 minutes after Rushine De Reuck had a header in the box that missed wide after a cross by Marcelo Allende.
Rise and Shine started to venture forward again after the half-hour mark, as they put Sundowns under pressure but Masandawana's defence dealt with their threats, especially aerially.
The Brazilians could not get their usual attacking rhythm, as they were quickly closed down by Polokwane and the sides went to the break deadlocked.
Mngqithi went for a different approach in attack early in the second stanza as Arthur Sales replaced Mabena. Sundowns, however, could not get off the blocks and it was Rise and Shine who were spirited going forward.
With 15 minutes remaining, Thabang Matuludi almost broke the deadlock for Phuti Mohafe's men with a looping shot that was headed for the top corner but Onyango saw it all the way and made a crucial save.
Polokwane remained eager and Bulelani Nikani eventually sent them ahead seven minutes later after he flicked Cole Alexander's cross past Onyango in the box.
The Brazilians did not have momentum in the dying minutes but almost equalised in added time from a long ball after Siphelele Mkhulise fired a shot wide in the box, as City held on for the win.
Here's how they lined up:
Polokwane City: 1. Sapunga, 2. Matuludi, 3. Nkwe, 4. Nikani, 17. Dlamini, 14. Maphangule, 21. Kambala, 9. Chauke, 12. Alexander, 11. Appollis
Subs: Okoth, 22. Makhubela, 33. Ndlovu, 51. Baloyi, 24. Seabi, 20. Daniels, 10. Marema, 16. Goovadia, 19. Mapfumo
Mamelodi Sundowns: 1. Onyango, 23. De Reuck, 40. Coetzee, 5. Lebusa, 27. Morena, 31. Tiwani, 39. Maboe, 11. Allende, 17. Matthews, 22. Mabena, 13. Rayners.
Subs: 26. Pieterse, 20. Kekana, 25. Mudau, 4. Mokoena, 21. Mkhulise, 35. Maema, 19. Kodisang, 9. Sales, 38. Shalulile
