Marumo Gallants remain without a win in the 2026/27 Betway Premiership after being held to an entertaining 2-2 draw by Polokwane City at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Friday evening.
All four goals came in an action-packed first half, with the result lifting Rise and Shine to eighth on the log with six points from five matches, while Bahlabane Ba Ntwa remain 15th with two points from their opening five games.
Polokwane made the perfect start, taking the lead as early as the third minute. Malebogo Modise’s long throw from the right was flicked on by Juan Mutudza, allowing Tidimalo Molokwane to finish spectacularly on the volley.
Gallants responded in the 17th minute when Msindisi Kunene cut inside from the left and unleashed a long-range effort that skidded past Polokwane goalkeeper Ayanda Ngwenya, who will feel he should have done better.
Rise and Shine restored their advantage eight minutes later. Mutudza split the Gallants defence with a perfectly weighted pass, sending Bonginkosi Dlamini through on goal, and the forward calmly finished beyond Emile Lako to make it 2-1.
Gallants had a golden opportunity to level the contest shortly after the half-hour mark when a defensive mistake sent Kelvin Etemesi through on goal. However, with only Ngwenya to beat, the striker dragged his effort wide.
The hosts eventually found their second equaliser just before half-time, albeit with a helping hand from their opponents. In the 44th minute, Lebohang Nkaki misjudged a long ball towards his own penalty area, heading it over the advancing Ngwenya and into the net to make it 2-2.
Polokwane created the first opportunity after the interval when Mutudza met a loose ball with a volley from just inside the box in the 58th minute. Lako initially fumbled the effort but recovered to make the save.
Gallants then pushed for a winner, with Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo testing substitute goalkeeper Lindokuhle Mathebula from distance in the 72nd minute. Mathebula dealt comfortably with the attempt.
The Polokwane goalkeeper was called into action again six minutes from time, reacting sharply to claim a deflected cross from the right that appeared destined to fall for an unmarked Katlego Otladisa inside the danger area.
Otladisa had one final opportunity deep into stoppage time, attempting to curl a left-footed effort into the top corner, but his shot narrowly missed the target as Polokwane held on for a share of the spoils.
Both sides return to Betway Premiership action on Saturday, 12 September, with Gallants travelling to face AmaZulu FC, while Polokwane City host Kaizer Chiefs.