Publications
Partners
Johannesburg - Polokwane City capitalised on an own goal in the closing stages of the first half to stun Premiership giants Mamelodi Sundowns with a 1-0 victory at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday evening.
"With one point tonight I would have been happy," said Polokwane coach Boebie Solomons.
"Three points is a bonus against a team like Sundowns."
The visitors dominated play for most of the opening stanza, with Khama Billiat taking the first shot in anger as early as the second minute, direct from a free kick, but his effort was kept out by Botswana international goalkeeper Modiri Marumo.
Bongani Zungu had two chances within seven minutes for the Brazilians, but he blasted wide to the left, and then had an attempt saved by Marumo.
Relentless on attack, Sundowns could not find a breakthrough, and Rashid Sumaila fired his header wide shortly after the half hour mark.
With time running out in the opening stanza, Puleng Tlolane's shot for the home side was denied by Sundowns keeper Kennedy Mweene.
The hosts pushed forward in the second period and another Tlolane effort was parried away by Mweene, only for Tebogo Langerman to concede an own goal off the rebound.
Moffat Mdluli had a chance to put the hosts further ahead shortly after the half-time break, but he was wayward, Billiat had a final opportunity to equalise in the dying seconds of the match, but Marumo held him off to secure a vital three points for the home side.
The Brazilians, who had been undefeated in six straight league matches, were disappointed to give away crucial points, but coach Pitso Mosimane remained optimistic in the early stages of the campaign.
"I think we had only one chance at goal, but we're still there," Mosimane said.
"We still have a game in hand so we will rectify this."
