Polokwane City enhanced their chances of a top-eight finish by thrashing Golden Arrows 3-1 in an Absa Premiership match played at the Princess Magogo Stadium near Durban on Tuesday evening.
The Limpopo side looked a vastly more confident unit despite the off-the-field goings-on in the coaching department in recent weeks, which saw Belgian mentor Luc Eymael resigning under controversial circumstances to be employed by Bloemfontein Celtic two days later.
However, following an appeal by City, the PSL ruled that the coach had to return to his previous employers in Polokwane.
The coaching chaos seemed furthest from the City players’ minds as they outmanoeuvred Arrows in all departments.
Striker Raymond Maluleke found the back of the Arrows net as early as the second minute after some sloppy defending by the home side.
Arrows did manage to get back into the game with a penalty in the 12th minute, with the spot-kick converted by defender Musa Bilankulu, but it was not to be Arrows’ night.
Maluleke doubled his tally on the halftime whistle to set the Polokwane-based side up for their second consecutive win, having beaten fellow mid-table team Platinum Stars 1-0 at home in their previous encounter.
Vusimuzi Mngomezulu’s fine effort in the 52nd minute knocked the stuffing out of the home side, who despite their results, have been one of the better passing and ball-controlling sides in the league this season.
Arrows, who like City have been eyeing a top-eight finish come the end of season, have made things tough for themselves in their quest for points.
They will have to put in a vastly improved showing if they are to hold their own at home against African champions Mamelodi Sundowns in their next encounter on Saturday, while City will travel to face relegation-haunted Free State Stars in Bethlehem on Sunday.