Polokwane continue slide after loss to Maritzburg

Cape Town - Polokwane City continued their slide down the Absa Premiership table with a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Maritzburg United at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Sunday.

It is Polokwane's ninth successive defeat in all competitions with a lot for Clinton Larsen to do when he oversees his first game in their next match.

Meanwhile, it is a good confidence-booster ahead of the Telkom Knockout final with Mamelodi Sundowns next weekend for Maritzburg.

In the seventh minute, Maritzburg had a chance on the counter. Judas Moseamedi laid it off to Micah Lea'alafa who looked to slide it in to Thabiso Kutumela but the midfielder over hit his through ball and the keeper claimed the ball.

In the 14th minute, Rise and Shine had an effort at goal. Charlton Mashumba cut in and curled a right footed shot at goal but Rushine de Reuck put in a good block.

Neat combination play between Jabu Maluleke and Salulani Phiri got Mpho Mvelase in to some space in the box in the 22nd minute and his snapshot was a decent effort but unfortunately went just wide of the right-hand upright.

Some more slick passing and movement from the hosts once again got Mashumba in but his effort skewed wide of the right-hand upright. With three minutes to go before the interval, Malulekes strike was well held by Bongani Mpandle.

The Team of Choice broke the deadlock in the 58th minute. Miguel Timm won a free-kick on the edge of the box. Yusuf Jappie stepped up and curled a beautiful left-footed strike over the wall and in to the top right-hand corner.

Soon after, the hosts won a free-kick on the edge of the box and unluckily for them Maluleke hit the crossbar with a brilliant free-kick and Mpandle well beaten.

Daylon Claasen, who had come on as a substitute for Thabiso Kutumela, ran on to a through ball from Keagan Buchanan in the 73rd minute but sliced his effort wide.

Soon after, hero of the Telkom Knockout semi-final victory over Kaizer Chiefs Moseamedi first brought a decent save out of George Chigova before playing a slide-rule pass for Lea'alafa, who fluffed his lines when he should have done better.

However, those missed opportunities would not come back to haunt Eric Tinkler and his side, who bolstered their hopes of a top eight finish, moving in to eighth position on the table as they held on for the slender 1-0 victory.

- TEAMTalk