Kaizer Chiefs slipped to a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Polokwane City in their Betway Premiership clash at the New Peter Mokaba stadium in the capital of Limpopo province on Sunday.
An Oswin Appollis goal after 17 minutes saw the home side lead at the half, before Mokibelo Ramabu landed the killer blow on the breakaway in the 90th minute, as Amakhosi threw everything into attack looking for an equaliser.
In a generally attritional opening 45 minutes, neither team could establish sufficient dominance to produce any sustained pressure, leading to little goalmouth action and few scoring opportunities. Amakhosi enjoyed a slight upper hand in midfield and were always looking to go forward at every opportunity.
They fell behind, though, after 17 minutes, to City’s only opportunity of the entire half, when Appollis finished off a sweeping Rise & Shine move that spanned the length of the field and ended with Tlou Nkwe crossing from the left for the Bafana Bafana striker to side-foot home from a tight angle at the far post.
Amakhosi’s response was to continue to play progressively and they managed to create a few half-chances against the stubborn and resilient home defence. Skipper, Yusuf Maart went close with a long-range left-footed effort on 29 minutes and Gaston Sirino came close to putting Mduduzi Shabalala free five minutes later but his through-ball was slightly overhit and allowed goalkeeper, Manuel Sapunga to come off his line and collect.. However, that was all they could muster and went into the break trailing 1-0.
Coach Nabi made a triple substitution at the start of the second half, replacing Wandile Duba, Sirino and the injured Bradley Cross with Mfundo Vilakazi, Thatayaone Dithlokwe and Tebogo Potsane. It was Shabalala, though, who threatened most, coming close with a shot and having a promising move smothered by Sapunga.
With 20 minutes remaining, Coach Nabi sent on Ranga Chivaviro for Njabulo Blom and switched to a 3-4-3 formation, as Amakhosi laid siege to the hists’ goal.