Appollis returns as PLK City maintain winning start

Polokwane City extended their winning start in the Betway Premiership after a 2-0 win over Magesi in the Limpopo derby on Saturday afternoon.

After missing out on the opening 2-1 win over AmaZulu, Oswin Appollis, after the transfer window closed on Friday, returned to the line-up for Polokwane.

Magesi, on the other hand, after opening defeat to Sekhukhune United, dropped former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Kgaogelo Sekgota and Rulani Manzini, as Maloisane Mokhele and Wonderboy Makhubu were brought in.

Rise and Shine had a bright start, as they created a number of chances but were not accurate in front of goal, mostly with headers in the box, with the likes of Lebohang Nkaki and Thabang Matuludi coming close.

However, Puleng Marema eventually broke the deadlock for City on the half-hour mark with a strike in the box from a rebound after Appollis was denied by goalkeeper Bongani Mpandle.

Polokwane remained on the front foot and Marema almost doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time with a strike in the box that was smothered by Mpandle.

Magesi had to come back into the game from the break, especially going forward.

However, Dikwena managed to restrict City on their attacks early in the second stanza and on the hour-mark, eventually made an attacking change, as Sekgota came on for Mokhele.

Clinton Larsen's charges began to get an attacking rhythm and with 23 minutes remaining, Makhubo had a chance to equalise with the header in the box but his effort was kept out by shot-stopper Manuel Sapunga.

As Magesi committed numbers going forward, they were punished with 20 minutes to go after Sibusiso Tshabalala got the second goal for Rise and Shine with a shot in the box.

Magesi threw in Manzini in the dying minutes in place of Makhubo to salvage something out of the game and Manzini almost pulled a goal back a minute after coming on but was denied by Sapunga.

Rise and Shine extended their winning start to two games, with a maximum of six points.

Magesi: Mpandle, Mashigo, L. Mokone, Abrahams, J. Mokone, Matima, Mekoa, Mokhele, Kakora, Ngwadla, Makhubu.

Polokwane City: Sapunga, Matuludi, Nikani, Nkaki, Nkwe, Kambala, Alexander, Daniels, Appollis,  Marema, Chauke.