Polokwane City won 2-1 at Richards Bay FC, taking control with two goals before the home side’s late response. The win owed much to a clinical edge in front of goal that Richards Bay could not match.
Ndamulelo Maphangule put Polokwane ahead in the 18th minute from Giovanni Philander’s assist, and Tidimalo Molokwane doubled the lead in the 55th. Simphiwe Fortune Mcineka pulled one back for Richards Bay in the 69th, with Moses Mthembu providing the assist, but the hosts could not force an equaliser.
Polokwane were ruthlessly efficient, scoring twice from their three big chances and an expected-goals total of 2.17 despite having only 31% of possession. Richards Bay dominated the ball with 69%, took 13 shots and won 10 corners, yet their expected-goals figure was just 0.73 and they finished with no big chances scored.
