Sekhukhune United striker Bradley Grobler tries to get away from a Polokwane City defender during their Betway Premiership match on Saturday.
Image: Backpagepix
The Limpopo derby produced the proverbial game of two halves, with the match delivering a snore-fest in the initial stanza only to liven up after the break.
Still, there were no goals over a 90-minute period that left Sekhukhune United coach Eric Tinkler a frustrated man once again — local football’s famous ginger having to yet again watch as his team dominated play only to not get the just rewards.
On this occasion, though, credit has to go to Polokwane City goalkeeper Lindokuhle Mathebula, who was duly applauded by the Rise and Shine supporters as they chanted ‘We Keeper’ after the final whistle. He rightly won the Man of the Match award.
Mathebula was imperious in the second half as Sekhukhune upped the ante, clearly eager to ensure they remain in contention for that third-place spot they still hold. They are desperate to secure a return to the CAF Confederation Cup after their chances of doing so via success in the Nedbank Cup were ended by that defeat to Milford FC.
Mathebula proved to be an impenetrable wall as he thwarted the incessant attacks from the home side. Two of those were particularly memorable. First, he pulled off a stunning point-blank save to block Bradley Grobler’s diving header on 66 minutes, and then did well to stop the shot by Bradley Mojela off the rebound.
Seven minutes later he kept City in the game, this time doing brilliantly to deny Vuyo Letlapa, who smashed the ball from a free kick on the edge of the box.
City had a good chance on 64 minutes when Puleng Marema floated a free kick into the box, but Thabelo Tshikweta’s cushioned header went against the upright with Renaldo Leaner rooted to his spot.
Meanwhile, in a match played earlier at Seshego Stadium, bottom-placed Magasi FC staged an impressive come-from-behind rally to draw 2-2 with Chippa United.
The visitors opened the scoring courtesy of a fantastic long-range goal by Ayabulela Konqobe, who struck the ball sweetly from way outside the box to beat Elvis Chipezeze hands down. Somila Ntsundwana made it 2-0 when he bundled in a delivery from Justice Figueredo.
But the bottom dwellers rallied back and scored through Mncedisi Vandala and Sifiso Luthuli for a point that will come like gold dust as they seek to avoid the drop to the lower division.