Polokwane City snatch late win in PE

Port Elizabeth - A late goal enabled Polokwane City to beat Chippa United 1-0 in their Absa Premiership encounter at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

It was a tightly contested affair before Rodney Ramagalela’s 86th minute penalty proved the difference.

Chippa had the first chance of the afternoon when Katlego Mashego flashed an eighth minute header wide.

Polokwane had efforts on goal in the 23rd and 26th minutes, but Salulani Phiri volleyed over the bar before Ramagalela hit a powerful shot straight at Chippa ‘keeper Brighton Mhlongo.

Phiri also had a shot deflect off a defender to strike the upright although it was the Chilli Boys who ended the first half on the attack as Sizwe Mdlinzo's deflected shot was saved by George Chigova, who also did well to deny Mashego on the follow-up.

Chippa pushed and probed for openings after the break but had to wait until the 58th minute for a chance on goal as Mashego blazed over the bar from 20-yards out.

With the home side unable to create clear-cut chances, Polokwane were to score with one of their few second half attacks as Jabu Maluleke put Ramagalela in on goal, only for him to go down under a challenge from behind by Chippa captain James Okwuosa.

A spot kick was awarded with Ramagalela smashing home confidently in what proved to the last significant chance of a game which could have gone either way.