Polokwane City coach Phuthi Mohafe has set his sights on securing a top-eight finish in the South African Premier League after his side’s remarkable victories over Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns.
In a thrilling encounter at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane stunned Chiefs with a 2-0 victory, with Oswin Apollis and Mokibelo Ramabu finding the back of the net.
Earlier, in October, they pulled off a shock 1-0 win over Sundowns, courtesy of Bulelani Nikani’s decisive strike.
Mohafe, who led Polokwane to eighth place in the league last season, is now aiming to repeat that success.
He stressed the importance of consistency as his team pursues their target, saying, “Our target is to finish in the top eight, so we can’t lose games and hope to stay there.”
The coach took over the reins after the unexpected departure of Lehlohonolo Seema in November 2023 and has since revitalized the team’s performances.
Polokwane’s manager has urged his players to maintain their focus and not be intimidated by the so-called “big teams” in the league.
“Currently ranked third, we must continue to work hard to secure our place in the top eight,” he added.
In an intriguing observation, Mohafe described their match against TS Galaxy earlier this month as one of their toughest tests, noting that they found TS Galaxy to be a more challenging opponent than even Chiefs or Sundowns.
According to the coach, the performances in the games against TS Galaxy, Chiefs, and Sundowns provide valuable insight into Polokwane’s current standing and potential.
With Polokwane City currently sitting third in the Premier League standings, Mohafe’s side will now turn their attention to their next fixture.
They will face tenth-placed Marumo Gallants at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday, as they continue their pursuit of a strong finish to the season.
