CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - APRIL 30: Thato Mokeke of Cape Town Spurs and Cole Alexander of Polokwane City during the DStv Premiership match between Cape Town Spurs and Polokwane City at Athlone Stadium on April 30, 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)
Cape Town Spurs' survival chances are slipping away following a 1-0 defeat to Polokwane City in the DStv Premiership on Tuesday evening.
Spurs made only one enforced change after their narrow win over Richards Bay, as Jarrod Moroole took the place of the suspended Asanele Velebayi.
Polokwane, meanwhile, after a 5-0 defeat to Stellenbosch, they were boosted by the return of goalkeeper Lindekuhle Mathebula, alongside Cole Alexander and Decide Chauke.
The game got off to a quick start and after nine minutes, Ashley Cupido had a good chance for the Urban Warriors with a header in the box that was saved by Mathebula.
City were in the game the whole time and around the half-hour mark, Oswin Appollis was unfortunate not to break the deadlock with a strike from outside the box that came off the post.
However, the pace of the game faded out in the closing phase of the first stanza and new ideas were needed from the half-time break.
Ernst Middendorp reacted first with an attacking change from the dressing room, as Orlando Pirates loanee Boitumelo Radiopane replaced Faiz Abrahams.
The Urban Warriors had a sense of urgency immediately after that, as moments later Moosa came close to breaking the deadlock with a strike from the edge of the box that missed narrowly wide from a set-piece situation.
Rise and Shine were happy to absorb the pressure and frustrated Middendorp's charges, who continuously had their shots blocked.
Polokwane came to life in the dying minutes after the fresh legs of Nyakala Raphadu and Stevens Goovadia, as they threatened to steal the maximum points.
City's pressure paid off in added time after an own goal by Rushwin Dortley gave them all the points.
Bottom side Spurs are eight points behind 15th-placed Richards Bay, who won against AmaZulu.
Spurs made only one enforced change after their narrow win over Richards Bay, as Jarrod Moroole took the place of the suspended Asanele Velebayi.
Polokwane, meanwhile, after a 5-0 defeat to Stellenbosch, they were boosted by the return of goalkeeper Lindekuhle Mathebula, alongside Cole Alexander and Decide Chauke.
The game got off to a quick start and after nine minutes, Ashley Cupido had a good chance for the Urban Warriors with a header in the box that was saved by Mathebula.
City were in the game the whole time and around the half-hour mark, Oswin Appollis was unfortunate not to break the deadlock with a strike from outside the box that came off the post.
However, the pace of the game faded out in the closing phase of the first stanza and new ideas were needed from the half-time break.
Ernst Middendorp reacted first with an attacking change from the dressing room, as Orlando Pirates loanee Boitumelo Radiopane replaced Faiz Abrahams.
The Urban Warriors had a sense of urgency immediately after that, as moments later Moosa came close to breaking the deadlock with a strike from the edge of the box that missed narrowly wide from a set-piece situation.
Rise and Shine were happy to absorb the pressure and frustrated Middendorp's charges, who continuously had their shots blocked.
Polokwane came to life in the dying minutes after the fresh legs of Nyakala Raphadu and Stevens Goovadia, as they threatened to steal the maximum points.
City's pressure paid off in added time after an own goal by Rushwin Dortley gave them all the points.
Bottom side Spurs are eight points behind 15th-placed Richards Bay, who won against AmaZulu.
Confirmed line-ups:
Cape Town Spurs: Boshoff, Moroole, Gumede, Moosa, Dortley, Mokeke, Cupido, Bern, Abrahams, Nkwali, Kamagi
Subs: Dlamini, Allie, Nel, Ryan, Morton, Radiopane, Jakalashe, Maduna, Maphathe
Polokwane City: Mathebula, Matuludi, Nkwe, Nikani, Nkaki, Kambala, Ramabu, Maphangule, Chauke, Alexander, Appollis
Subs: Myataza, Thuto, K.Baloyi, Mashikinya, Raphadu, Goovadia, Nana, Tshabalala, Mapfumo
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