Polokwane City FC opened their 2026/27 Betway Premiership season on a high note after edging Richards Bay FC 2-1, while Siwelele FC and TS Galaxy FC settled for a share of the spoils in a four-goal thriller.
At the Free State Stadium, it was a close contest between Siwelele FC and TS Galaxy, but it was the former that got the breakthrough in the 29th minute through Sphesihle Jeza’s close-range finish that beat diving goalkeeper Sipho Maseti.
TS Galaxy pushed for an equaliser, piling on the pressure, and it paid dividends in the 51st minute when Victor Letsoalo converted from the penalty spot.
Siwelele FC, however, were determined to collect maximum points on the season opener. Vincent Pule doubled their lead in the 55th minute. Pule latched onto a lofted pass from Thabiso Sesane before calmly slotting it home.
But the Rockets did not give up easily, and they levelled matters through Veluyeke Zulu’s header from a difficult angle into the bottom right corner, leaving Siwelele FC goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko exposed. Tshepo Kakora provided the assist.
TS Galaxy ended the match with one man down, as goalkeeper Sipho Maseti was sent off for handling the ball outside the box.
POLOKWANE CITY FC EDGE RICHARDS BAY FC IN SEASON OPENER
Polokwane City FC opened their 2026/27 Betway Premiership campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Richards Bay FC at the Richards Bay Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Rise and Shine started on the front foot and dictated the tempo early on, but had to dig deep to finally get their breakthrough.
Ndamulelo Maphangule scored their first goal of the season after rising highest in the 19th minute to head home Giovanni Philander’s pinpoint corner.
On the other hand, Richards Bay pushed hard for an equaliser before halftime, but Polokwane City goalkeeper Lindokuhle Mathebula was resolute as Polokwane took a 1-0 lead into the break.
Tidimalo Molokwane doubled Polokwane City’s advantage in the 55th minute to put Rise and Shine firmly in control. The Natal Rich Boys were handed a lifeline in the 69th minute when Simphiwe Mcineka powered a header into the back of the net. But it proved to be only a consolation as Polokwane held on to secure all three points.
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