Cape Town - Polokwane City needed a late penalty to hold Maritzburg United to a 1-1 draw in the team's Absa Premiership clash at old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Mohau Mokate’s goal early in the second half seemed to have put the Team of Choice on course for victory, but Jabulani Maluleke struck from the spot to ensure the points were shared.
The first effort in anger came from Polokwane’s Thobani Mncwango, with the attacker shooting wide of the mark in the 15th minute.
Maritzburg created a chance of their own four minutes later when Mohau Mokate got on the end of a corner kick from Kwanda Mngonyama, but his header sailed harmlessly over the crossbar.
The final sight of goal for the first half went the way of United’s Deolin Mekoa, but his 45th minute effort was easily claimed by City goalkeeper George Chigova.
While the first half may have offered little in terms of goal mouth action, the second saw the deadlock broken seven minutes after the restart, with Mokate putting the Team of Choice ahead by turning home Bandile Shandu’s assist.
The goal sparked a string of chances at either end of the pitch, with Polokwane’s Thabang Klaas shooting wide when presented with a good opportunity just after the hour mark, while United’s Mekola also missed out on a couple of good openings.
Rise and Shine were gifted a penalty with just under 10 minutes to play when Bevan Fransman fouled Sipho Jembula in the box. Jabulani Maluleke converted the spot kick to make it 1-1 in the 81st minute.
Maritzburg will be in league action again this weekend when they host Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday night, while Polokwane will be away to Highlands Park on Sunday.