#PSLFansMatter | Polokwane derby ends in stalemate as fans provide the real entertainment

Polokwae City 0

Magesi FC 0

Old Peter Mokaba Stadium - This could well have been a singing contest instead of a city derby between teams supposedly meant to be bitter rivals. Of course, the uneven, patchy pitch did not help matters, but such was the profligacy of both sides in front of goals that this match could have gone the proverbial all day long and no net would have bulged.

Instead, the entertainment throughout the 90 minutes and a bit was provided by the two sets of supporters who sang their lungs out in a vain effort to will their teams on to victory.

Switching between traditional folklore and gospel songs and blowing some vuvuzelas, the die-hards’ attempt proved futile as on the pitch the teams outdid each other in what appeared a contest on ‘how to miss goals’.

A season-opening match between city rivals is supposed to enthrall. This after all, is an opportunity for either team to stamp their authority as the kings of the town.

And as hosts,  City – also being the senior citizens of the province against a team only in its second season – were supposed to lead the way.

But Phuti Mohafe’s men seemed to still be suffering from the blues of their MTN8 defeat by Orlando Pirates from last weekend as they huffed and puffed about without really doing anything of value.

The visitors, on the other hand, were no better and at the end this turned out to be an evenly-contested affair worthy of the points being shared.

Granted, a few chances were created on both sides – but the finishing was so poor those who provided the assists must have been bitterly disappointed.

Here’s the litany of those missed opportunities in no particular order. Five minutes before the end of the match Kgothatso Mariba incredulously headed the ball wide of goal for Magesi with the gaping net in front of him following a superb delivery from the left.

His teammate John Mokone strangely opted to deliver a cut back inside the box straight into a group of City defenders when taking a shot would have yielded a better outcome.

Four minutes prior Delano Abrahams 75 received a superb through ball inside the box on the right but had his shot palmed back to him by goalkeeper Brian Bwire. He fluffed the second chance, smashing the ball into the side net.

On the other side of the field, Magesi nearly gifted City a goal when sdfsdfs beat goalkeeper Mbali Tshabalala with an attempted back pass and was thankful to see the ball going wide off target.

City had been the first to ask questions as early as eight minutes but Mbali Tshabalala who started ahead of Elvis Chipezeze in the Magesi goals pulled off a good save as Bonginkosi Dlamini threatened.

Sabelo Motsa then headed a corner kick across the face of goal with no City teammate to direct it in just before the half hour mark.

Missed chances were the order of the day as the Polokwane derby petered out into a goalless draw that was made bearable by the singing contest out in the stands.