Jembula denies Highlands Park third win

Cape Town - A late goal from Sipho Jembula denied Highlands Park their third Absa Premiership win when they drew 1-1 against Polokwane City on Sunday afternoon at Makhulong Stadium.

In the wake of the stalemate, the Citizens occupy the sixth spot with 23 points from 17 league matches.

On the other hand, Peter Shalulile's second minute strike failed to hand the Lions of the North a win.  

As early as the second minute, the Lions of the North claimed a lead through Shalulile when he received a cross from the right flank unmarked in the box, only for the Namibian striker to use his body to guide the ball into George Chigova's net.

In an aim to find an equaliser, the Citizens dominated the ball possession, but could not beat goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini towards the 20th minute.

As they piled on the pressure, Rodney Ramagalela came close to find the back of the net when he hit the woodwork in the 29th minute after beating defender Eddie Ngalo on the ball.

In the 32nd minute, Luc Eymael's side received a set piece and Jabulani Maluleke struck it superbly, but Kapini was equal to the task to punch the ball away.

However, in the last two minutes of the opening half, Edwin Sitayitayi saw his attempt going inches wide when he made a good run into the box.

Despite the hosts starting the second half with high intensity, their efforts were thwarted by City’s defence as they probed for a second goal.

In the 70th minute, Tlou Segolela also tried his luck to beat Kapini from close range, but his idea to chip the keeper went over the crossbar.

In the last five minutes, Charlton Mashumba wasted a wonderful opportunity to make it 2-0 when he struck his attempt over the posts with only Chigova to beat.

Gordon Igesund's defence finally cracked in injury time after Jembula combined with Ramagalela, where former unleashed a powerful shot into the left of the net, beating Kapini.

The deadlock means the hosts remain rooted at number 15 with 13 points on the log table.