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Stars no match for Rise and Shine

Cape Town - African All Stars had their moments but never looked like causing an upset as they lost to Polokwane City in their Nedbank Cup Round of 32 encounter at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday evening.

With the rookie team looking somewhat overwhelmed during the early stages of the match, City were on top for the opening half although until they took the lead in the 24th minute, the hosts failed to threaten.

The goal was a well-worked team move involving several players, which ended with Puleng Tloane scorching in a brilliant first-time shot with the outside of his boot from 20 yards out.

Although All Stars goalkeeper Tebogo Dlamini made a couple of good saves to prevent Rise and Shine from increasing their lead, the visitors were to grow in confidence and outplayed their Premiership opposition during the final 15 minutes of the first-half.

Christian Xaba's Amazozo carried their momentum into the second-half as Regional Mhlanga cut in from the right flank and fired a rising shot just wide before Bheki Shabangu went close with a near-post volley after and then Sthembiso Hlophe burst through the home defence. 

Hlophe was desperately unlucky not to score 20 minutes from time when he showed great technique with his first-time shot from the edge of the box, only for the ball to smash against the crossbar.

Having missed a sitter of a header for the hosts a few minutes earlier, Zambian marksman Salulani Phiri made amends in spectacular style in the 72nd minute when he thundered in a 25-yard rocket into the top corner. 

Polokwane should have added another goal two minutes later, but Tloane was denied by Dlamini when he had several team-mates better placed to score, while Sipho Jembula hit the upright late on.

The third goal arrived four minutes from time when Walter Musona, younger brother of former Kaizer Chiefs striker Knowledge, cut through the Stars defence before rounding Dlamini and scoring in an empty net.

There was at least some consolation for Amazozo when Shabangu cleverly drew a foul from Thapelo Tshilo and a penalty was awarded, which Mohau Motaung dispatched clinically.

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