NGuessan strikes late as Siwelele claim first home league win

Michel N’Guessan scored three minutes after coming off the bench to give Siwelele a 1-0 win over Polokwane City and their first Betway Premiership victory of the season at the Free State Stadium on Sunday.

The substitute settled an end-to-end match in the 90th minute, sliding a low finish beyond Oscarine Masuluke after Tebogo Potsane had worked his way past several Polokwane defenders before setting him up.

Siwelele started brightly and almost took an early lead when Siyabonga Ndebele headed a corner just wide. The home side then controlled possession for a period, although Polokwane threatened when Tlou Nkwe’s corner required intervention from the Siwelele defence.

Bonginkosi Dlamini’s seventh-minute set-piece was overhit for Juan Mutudza, while Jody February had to punch away a dangerous delivery from Nkwe.

Polokwane goalkeeper Masuluke was called into action when Manelis Mazibuko met a pass from Potsane on the edge of the area. He needed two attempts to gather the shot. Christian Saile then fired narrowly wide with a first-time effort as Siwelele continued to press.

February dealt comfortably with a well-struck half-volley from Tidimalo Molokwane when Polokwane advanced. At the other end, play was briefly stopped after Edwin Ramaja pushed Saile into Masuluke.

Siwelele appealed for a penalty when Mazibuko went down under a challenge from Ramaja, but the referee allowed the game to continue. Shortly before half-time, Mazibuko appeared to be through after a pass from midfield, only for Manuel Kambala to recover and make an important tackle.

Polokwane made the first change at the interval, replacing Keorapetse Sebone with Giovanni Philander. The visitors began the second half with more possession, but Nkwe sent a cross from the left into the side-netting.

Saile narrowly missed Potsane’s low delivery after Sphesihle Jeza had released his team-mate down the right. Polokwane then introduced Lucky Mahlatsi and Batlhabane Monty Moketsi for Mutudza and Tshepang Matube after 55 minutes as they looked to take control.

Siwelele were less dominant after the break, with Mazibuko having influenced much of the first half. Molokwane shot well wide from distance in the 67th minute before the hosts made a triple substitution, bringing on Matthew Marou, Selaelo Rasebotja and Shadrack Kobedi for Saile, Thato Letshedi and Katlego Mokhuoane.

Polokwane created another opening when Philander’s cross from the right ran beyond his team-mates. Masuluke then read a Potsane delivery well, while February gathered Nkwe’s cross as the visitors searched for a late winner.

N’Guessan replaced Jeza in the 87th minute and made an immediate impact. Potsane’s run and pass provided the opening, and N’Guessan finished decisively to secure three points.

Siwelele moved to six points from eight games and climbed to 14th in the table. Polokwane City remain 11th on seven points.