Polokwane City ended their two-match losing streak in style with a commanding 3-1 victory over Richards Bay FC, a side struggling to escape the relegation battle due to inconsistent performances.
Before this crucial win, Rise and Shine had endured a seven-match winless run, collecting just three points in that period. With their Top 8 hopes fading, this result came as a much-needed boost for the Limpopo outfit, who are now strengthening their grip on sixth place in the standings.
City hold a four-point lead over AmaZulu, whom they still have a game in hand over, after Usuthu suffered a setback with a 2-1 loss against Chippa United on Saturday.
Phuti Mohafe and his charges will next face league challengers Orlando Pirates on Saturday. Following their morale-boosting win, the 51-year-old coach welcomed the result but believes that recent performances have not always been reflected in the scorelines.
“We didn’t start well; for the first 15 to 20 minutes, they were all over us,” Mohafe said, after his side's victory. “Around the 25-minute mark, we started to play, making moves and good runs.
“Our win was a long time coming because of the performances we have been putting in. We scored the most difficult goals, and I think, with us finding our scoring form, I hope it continues like this, as we want to finish in a higher position.”
Mohafe was pleased that his side managed to score multiple goals after weeks of struggling to get results but also warned against complacency.
“The performance deserves a pat on the back because we wanted to win everything.
“We don’t have to be clever with ourselves, but we need to be smart. I cannot say that we have turned the corner, but this is something we have been longing for. It is a relief that we have scored three goals and taken three points.”
Meanwhile, Magesi FC continued the revival of their season with what was arguably their most impressive win of the campaign, a 1-0 victory against Stellenbosch FC at the Seshego Stadium on Saturday.
The Limpopo-based outfit has now secured four wins from their last five matches and remains unbeaten at the Seshego Stadium, having won five consecutive games there.
Owen da Gama and his charges now have some breathing space in eleventh place on 26 points. They are just three points behind eighth-placed Kaizer Chiefs (29), although they have played one match more than the Soweto giants. However, the former Pirates coach dismissed suggestions that his side is in the running for a top-eight finish.
“We are not thinking about the top eight, to be honest with you,” Da Gama said, after his side’s win. “We just want to stay safe because two wins for a team at the bottom, or even one win and a draw, and suddenly we are back in trouble.
“We still have big games coming up — Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns away. We still have to play the top five teams, including Sekhukhune United. We will take it one game at a time and fight with everything we have in each match because that is the only thing we can do well. We are not looking too far ahead.”