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Bethlehem - Although they found the back of the net through Goodman Dlamini, Free State Stars lost their Absa Premiership match 2-1 to Polokwane City at Goble Park Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The loss left the hosts languishing at number 14 on the log standings with 23 points - their top-flight status remains in doubt as a result.
On the other hand, Rise and Shine claimed the victory through goals from Vusimuzi Mngomezulu and Rodney Ramagalela.
The visitors took the game to their hosts as early as the first minute and bagged the lead through Mngomezulu when he finished a defence splitting pass beating goalkeeper, Thela Ngobeni.
The Citizens continued to dominate as Jabulani Maluleke attempted to double their lead in the 17th minute through a set piece after Mngomezulu was fouled, but the free kick went just over the crossbar.
Letsoaka's side improved and almost scored in the 22nd minute as Mohamed Anas nearly scored, but was denied by the unconvincing goalkeeper, George Chigova, who misjudged the ball.
Stars kept searching and Thokozani Sekotlong came very close to drawing Ea Lla Koto level in the 32nd minute when his well-drilled set-piece missed the left of Chigova's post.
Following their continuous knock for an equaliser, Dlamini managed to find it with a powerful header from a distance to catch Chigova out of his line.
However, Ramagalela doubled Rise and Shine's lead with an impeccable finish in the box beating Thamsanqa Teyise, before unleashing a powerful shot, 2-1 at half time.
The beginning of the second stanza saw a scramble in the hosts' box, the ball looked to have crossed the line for the visitors, but the referee didn't allow it to count as Stars cleared the danger in the 56th minute.
With Bernard Molekwa's men hunting for their third goal, Ngobeni was equal to the task to deny Mngomezulu his brace from close range.
In the final two minutes, Stars kept City under pressure in an aim to salvage a point, yet Bokang Thlone failed to keep his effort on target as he was set up unmarked in the penalty area.
City now sit at number six spot with 37 points from 26 league matches and have consolidated their spot in the MTN8 Cup competition for the 2017/18 PSL campaign.
Scorers:
Free State Stars: (1) 1 (Dlamini 38')
Polokwane City: (2) 2 (Mngomezulu 01', Ramagalela 44')
Teams:
Free State Stars: Ngobeni, Masehe, Tlhone, Jantjie, Vilakazi, Teyise, Makhaula (Venter 84'), Dlamini (Sekola 58'), Sekotlong, Anas, Mbhele
Polokwane City: Chigova, Semenya, Tema, Hlongwane, Phiri, Seabi, Mbonani, Ramagalela, Musona (Manaka 63'), Maluleke (Maponyane 90'), Mngomezulu (Jembula 70')
