Maluleke shines as City thwart Wits
Mokoena’s stunner helps SuperSport ease past Celtic
Polokwane City dented Bidvest Wits’ title hopes by holding the Absa Premiership leaders to a thrilling 3-3 draw at Peter Mokaba Stadium yesterday.
City captain Jabu Maluleke put in another masterclass, creating two of Rise and Shine’s goals before slotting in a free-kick to win the man of the match award in a fiery encounter.
But Wits answered through a brace by Gift Motupa and a rare goal from captain Thulani Hlatshwayo in the second half to remain three points clear at
the top of the standings. The hosts shot into a shock two-goal lead after Maluleke’s
pin-point free-kick found the head of Bongile Booi who guided past Darren Keet in the Wits goal.
The veteran midfielder delivered another assist, this time for Sammy Seabi who also nodded past Keet.
Wits were roused into action and Motupa hit a ferocious shot past George Chigova to halve the deficit. A minute later, he nodded home unmarked from a corner to make it 2-2. In the second half, Hlatshwayo thought he had won it for Wits, but Maluleke had other ideas, curling in beautifully from a free-kick. “We are highly disappointed,” said Wits coach Gavin Hunt. “They didn’t have chances, apart from the freekicks. This is a game we could have won by six or seven goals. Elsewhere yesterday, SuperSport United returned to winning ways by beating Bloemfontein Celtic 2-1 at Lucas Moripe Stadium. Bradley Grobler scored the opener while Teboho Mokoena fired from long range for SuperSport’s winner. Tshegofatso Mabasa came off the bench to net Celtic’s consolation.
Highlands Park still hold a grudge against Mamelodi Sundowns, who sent them packing to relegation in 2017. The 2-2 result between the sides in the last game of the 2016/17 season was not good enough to see the Lions of the North grab a spot in the relegation/promotion play-offs as they finished a point behind Baroka. But Highlands have since fought their way back to top flight football and, as they host Sundowns at Makhulong Stadium tomorrow (7.30pm), club director Sinky Mnisi says revenge is imminent. “This is one match we have been waiting for. Remember our game that saw us go down to the National First Division was our home game, and they are coming back here at the house of pain and suffering. They better brace themselves for their toughest game thus far because the Red Ants are waiting to cause pain.” Sundowns are yet to lose an Absa Premiership fixture in more than a year, while Highlands have lost three of their 17 league matches. “You know some teams have complained that we play long balls, but I am saying if that strategy is working for us, why would we change it to suit other clubs’ style of play?” asked Mnisi. l “I hope there will be no excuses at the end of the game about the pitch. My plea to the powers that be is to protect our top goalscorer Mothobi Mvala. “It is becoming a trend that teams gun for him and they do all sorts of things to take him out of games either by kicking him or elbowing the boy.” Only 6,000 tickets will be sold for the game. They are available at Computicket and Abbies Super Market in Tembisa.
They better brace themselves for their toughest game thus far