City are now on 23 points, three more than Leopards as well as another Limpopo outfit Baroka FC who lost 2-1 at Bloemfontein Celtic
POLOKWANE CITY eased their relegation woes somewhat when they beat Black Leopards 2-1 in the Limpopo derby played at the old Peter Mokaba Stadium yesterday.
City are now on 23 points, three more than Leopards as well as another Limpopo outfit Baroka FC who lost 2-1 at Bloemfontein Celtic.
With just seven matches to go before the curtain falls on the 2019/20 season, City will enjoy a breather of sorts and start believing they can not only avoid the chop but the play-offs as well. Their wild celebrations told the story of a team aware of how crucial it was for them to grab maximum points.
Winners two weeks ago over Cape Town City in their last league match, City were always favourites against a Leopards side that has travelled poorly all season.
But it was the visitors who scored first, albeit courtesy of a goal deflected by a City defender after Mogakolodi Ngele had directed his shot towards the penalty spot.
The home side’s response was swift though and no sooner had the Leopards celebrations died down than City levelling matters through a superb strike by Charlton Mashumba. It appeared the two sides will have to share the points as the game see-sawed without any real threat on each other’s goal. But with eight minutes of play left, substitute Sibusiso Hlubi smashed home the winner from outside the box.
Out in Bloemfontein, Celtic kept Baroka stuck on 20 points when they beat Bakgaga 2-1 courtesy of goals by Tebogo and Ndumiso Mabena. Kambala scored Baroka’s goal three minutes into the second half.
Soccer Reporter
