Polokwane City shock leaders Wits with 10 men
A free-kick goal by Jabu Maluleke gave 10-man Polokwane City a shock 1-0 away win over Absa Premiership leaders Wits in Johannesburg Friday.
The Polokwane captain used the side of his right boot to drill an unstoppable shot past South African goalkeeper Darren Keet on 75 minutes at Milpark Stadium.
Maluleke struck after a rare Polokwane attack as they spent most of the match keeping Wits at bay following the straight red card shown to Salulani Phiri on 22 minutes.
Phiri made a vicious tackle from behind with both feet and even his team-mates did not protest when the Zambian midfielder was sent off.
Scot Simon Murray, a recent signing from Edinburgh outfit Hibernian, was among the substitutes introduced by increasingly desperate Wits, but he made little impact.
Slovakia-born Polokwane coach Jozef Vukusic hailed the "character and discipline" of his team as they climbed three places to fifth after seven rounds, three points behind Wits.
"Our defence was well organised and I knew we had the pace to exploit the space Wits left at the back."
Wits coach Gavin Hunt spoke with customary frankness: "We were shocking. Some of my players did not turn up tonight."