Durban City returned from the Africa Cup of Nations break in the best possible manner with a 1-0 Betway Premiership win over Polokwane City in front of a sizeable crowd at the Chatsworth Stadium on Sunday evening.
In what was a first competitive match ion charge for head coach Sinethemba Badela, the home side had the bulk of goal-scoring chances over the 90 minutes, Trevor Mokwena’s header midway through the first stanza the difference in the end.
The game got off to an even start as Polokwane City ballooned an eighth minute chance over the bar before Athini Jodwana had two shots in quick succession blocked, while Haashim Domingo sent a free kick over the goal for the home side.
Durban City were growing in confidence as the contest progressed and they were rewarded on 18 minutes when Mokwena rose majestically at the near post to plant a header into the top corner of the net, following a corner kick by Saziso Magawana.
The Citizens were not far off a second goal when Magawana created some space for himself on the edge of the area, but his low shot was dragged narrowly wide in the 27th minute.
Ten minutes later and there was another chance for Durban City to add to their tally, but having been put through on goal, Mokwena flashed his left-footed half volley over the bar.
Moving into the second half, the home side created another chance to extend their lead as Samkelo Maseko raced onto a route-one ball from the back, but from close range and a tight angle, he fired his first-time shot narrowly over the crossbar.
Backed by the lively home crowd. City were playing some scintillating football and after a lovely attack in the 63rd minute, looked set to score again – only for Magawana to send his shot into the side-netting.
Soon after, Mokwena burst through the middle of the Polokwane defence, but was denied by some sharp goalkeeping as Brian Bwire rushed off his line to claim the ball.
The visiting side were to end the match with 10 men after Puleng Tlolane took down a goal-bound Thabo Nodada with three minutes of regulation time to play.
There was nearly a second goal in added time as the Kyle Jurgens teed up Brooklyn Poggenpoel, only for Bwire to make a breathtaking save.
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