Appollis inspires Polokwane City to victory over Chilli Boys

Polokwane City ended their six-match winless streak in the DStv Premiership on Saturday afternoon following their 2-1 win over Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

As one of the players’ of the match for Rise and Shine, Oswin Appollis’ first-half brace was enough for Polokwane City to bag maximum points on away soil, while Ayabulela Konqobe provided a consolation effort for his side in the second-half.

The hosts saw most of the ball during the first 10 minutes of the game, while Rise and Shine were content with surrendering the ball to the Chilli Boys.

Polokwane City looked dangerous on the break and recycled the ball with aggression in the middle of the park. Rise and Shine then broke the deadlock in the 16th minute as Oswin Appollis got his name on the scoresheet. After receiving the ball on the left-hand side of the box, Appollis calmly slotted the ball beyond the goalkeeper’s left.

Chippa struggled to get out of their half after conceding and attempted to get into the game with careful build-up play from defensive positions. However, the Chilli Boys were often met by doggish defending by the visiting team.

Polokwane City doubled their advantage in the 23rd minute, as Appollis capped off a swift transition move inside the Chippa half. After an aggressive counter-pressing move on the half-way line, Appollis made his way inside the box before slotting the ball into the back of the net with a clever left-footed finish.

Chippa provided little threat going forward and battled to make the most of the goal scoring opportunities in the final third. Polokwane City on the other hand dominated the game toward the halftime whistle, with Appollis’ brace separating the two sides at the break.

Polokwane City commenced the subsequent 45 just as they ended the first and took control of the tie early on. Rise and Shine penned the Chilli Boys back during the first 10 minutes of the second-half and actively searched for a third goal of the match.

However, Chippa drew one back in the 66th minute as Ayabulela Konqobe joined Appollis on the scoresheet. Despite seeing little of the ball at the time, Chippa made the most of a sustained period of pressure with Konqobe capping off a well-constructed passing move inside the 18-yard-area.

Konqobe’s effort provided a gust of wind in Chippa United’s sails and continued to press on for an equalizer after the 70th minute mark. Polokwane City continued to play under the cosh toward the end of the tie as a result of Chippa dominating the second-half.

Despite a positive end to the second-half for Chippa United, Polokwane City managed to hold on to secure a 2-1 win at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Chippa United: (0) 1 (Konqobe 66’)

Polokwane City: (2) 2 (Appolis 16’ 23’)

Chippa United: Nwabili, Kammies, Pietersen (Chabalala 46’), Makhele, Nhlapo, Poggenpoel, Mosele (Konqobe 46’), Francis (Martin 46’), Kambindu (Memela 34’), Lebitso (Appollis 65’), Mulenga

Polokwane City: Sapunga, Ndlovu, Nkaki, Nikani, Matuludi, Appollis, Mashikinya, Ramabu (Baloyi 89’), Kambala, Raphadu (Maphangule 71’), Mapfumo (Chauke 82’)