Watch VideoPhuti Mohafe shifts focus to league after Polokwane City’s Nedbank Cup exit

Polokwane City will turn their attention back to the Betway Premiership after their Nedbank Cup run came to an end. Photo: BackpagePix Polokwane City coach Phuti Mohafe has turned his attention back to the Betway Premiership after his side’selimination from the Nedbank Cup in the round of 32. Rise and Shine produced a determined performancedespite playing most of the match with 10 men followingMonty Batlhabane’s early first-half red card.

The defeat means Polokwane City were unable to equal last season’s run to the last 16 of the competition. Lebohang Nkaki’s equaliser cancelled out Taariq Fielies’ early opener, sending the game into extra time after neither side could find a winner in regulation time. With penalties approaching,Thandolwethu Ngwenya scored the decisive goalwith just seven minutes left in extra time to secure progression for the visitors.

With the cup campaign now over, Mohafe and his charges will shift their full focus to league matters for the remainder of the season. The 51-year-old City coach admitted disappointment with the result but praised his players’ resilience, particularly after being reduced to ten men in the 31st minute of the match. “Credit to the boys for resisting up until we conceded the second goal,” Mohafe said after the match. “They showed good intentions of wanting to win the match, but the manner in which we conceded is what we can question from the lads because afterwards, we started to get back into the game.