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WILLARD Katsande struck in stoppage time to earn Kaizer Chiefs a 3-2 win over Polokwane City at the FNB Stadium yesterday.
The home side saw a lot of the ball in the opening stages, but they struggled to carve out clear-cut chances in the opening 20 minutes.
Polokwane were awarded a penalty after 23 minutes when Willard Katsande brought down Puleng Tlolane. Rodney Ramagalela stepped but had his spot-kick saved by Brilliant Khuzwayo.
Ramagalela made up for his error in the 30th minute by firing home a low effort from 20 yards to hand Rise and Shine a 1-0 lead.
Chiefs, meanwhile, offered very little going forward and struggled to mount any serious attempts at Zimbabwean goalkeeper George Chigova’s goal in the opening 45 minutes.
Nonetheless, the score remained 1-0 to the visitors as the sides entered the halftime break.
Chiefs’ coach Steve Komphela opted for a change at the start of the second half, as Emmanuel Letlotlo replaced the ineffective Lewis Macha.
Chiefs eventually levelled matters in the 62 minute as Siphiwe Tshabalala’s fine cross found Bernard Parker, who headed past Chigova.
The hosts then took the lead 10 minutes later when Parker turned provider to pick out Joseph Molangoane, who rifled the ball home from six yards out for his first goal of the season.
Polokwane responded by introducing Sipho Jembule for Walter Maponyane as they looked for a way back into the clash.
Rise and Shine levelled matters in the 82nd minute as Jabu Maluleke played a fine pass to Puleng Tlolane, who calmly slotted the ball through Khuzwayo’s legs.
Both sides pushed for a winner in the closing stages, but it was Chiefs that found the winner as Katsande rifled the ball into the top corner for a 3-2 victory. — Soccer Laduma
Online Reporter
derick.khumalo