JOHANNESBURG – Kaizer Chiefs' unbeaten run in the league this season came to an end at the FNB Stadium on Saturday evening with a 1-0 defeat to Polokwane City.
The win, courtesy of a Jabulani Maluleke penalty, takes the Limpopo club level on points with Chiefs at the top of the log.
Based on the balance of play though, and considering that Polokwane keeper Mwenya Chibwe was named Man of the Match, the home side will have felt that they threw away the three points.
Despite enjoying the lion's share of first half possession, Amakhosi's lack of incision meant that the opposition goal was rarely threatened.
And with Itumeleng Khune watching on from the Chiefs bench, goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi put his side on the back-foot after just 15 minutes when he clumsily upended Charlton Mashumba to concede a penalty.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/KC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KC0 : 1 #PC
Full time score: Kaizer Chiefs 0 : 1 Polokwane City FC (Maluleke. pen 16’) #Amakhosi4Life #AbsaPrem pic.twitter.com/NDTHROxAFh
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs)
Maluleke calmly slotted home the spot kick to put Rise and Shine in front.
Chiefs looked for a response, but as they continued to battle to click in attack, Chibwe was not overly tested, the one exception being in the 32rd minute when he reacted sharply to turn an Erick Mathoho header over the bar.
Amakhosi coach Ernst Middendorp introduced Khama Billiat after half time, and the Zimbabwean was soon in the action as he turned sharply at the near post before driving in a stinging shot which was well blocked by Chibwe.
Kearyn Baccus then sent a sweetly-struck half volley from 30-yards out narrowly wide of the mark as the Soweto side continued to look more purposeful in the early stages of the second half.
However, as the game went on, the Glamour Boys again found themselves struggling to prise open the Rise and Shine defence and their next chance only arrived in the 72nd minute, when Chibwe comfortably saved a Mathoho header.
Chibwe then did brilliantly to tip George Maluleka's curling effort over the bar before making a stunning point blank save on a Billiat header, with the Polokwane defence throwing bodies on the line late on to keep out a frustrated home side.