Soccer
Polokwane City vs Magesi Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
Date: February 18, 2025 Kickoff Time: 17:30 (UK Time) Venue: Old Peter Mokaba Stadium SportsBoom previews the long-awaited Betway Premiership match between Polokwane City and Magesi FC at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday, 18 February 2025. With matchday on the horizon, Betway Premiership fans are sifting through online betting sites in search of team stats and odds to find their edge.
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Lightning strikes before the Absa Premiership football match//Getty Images
Dive into our expert analysis for key tips and strategies consisting of all the essential insights, check out our full match preview. Polokwane City have been excellent on home soil under the tutelage of coach Phuthi Mohafe, claiming six wins against the likes of Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs.
Next to visit the high-flying Rise and Shine will be relegation-threatened Magesi FC, aiming to escape the drop zone in their first season of top-flight football. Magesi FC will be confident in their chances having snapped their 11-game winless run, defeating Cape Town City in the last Betway Premiership encounter.
On their quest to possibly qualify for CAF Confederations football next season, Polokwane City will need to continue their impressive performances in Limpopo. With star man Oswin Appollis in scintillating form, we’re set for an entertaining contest between two teams at the opposite ends of the Betway Premiership standings. Put our suggested bets to the test by joining the best soccer betting sites.
PRE-GAME ODDS AND WIN PROBABILITY
POLOKWANE CITY ARE SHORT-PRICED FAVORITES
HOME: 5/10 (1.50) – 66,7%
DRAW: 25/10 (3.50) – 28,6%
AWAY: 55/10 (6.50) – 15,4%
*Odds courtesy of Betway, subject to change
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
Last Three Meetings (PSL & NFD)
21/09/24: Magesi FC 0-2 Polokwane City
01/03/23: Magesi FC 0-2 Polokwane City
07/11/23: Polokwane City 1-0 Magesi FC
POLOKWANE CITY: CURRENT FORM – LDWWD
Polokwane City will be aiming to get back to winning ways after their eight-match unbeaten streak in the Betway Premiership was ended, courtesy of a 2-0 loss to Richards Bay FC at the King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium.
Rise and Shine, along with the reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns, are the only two teams yet to be defeated on home soil. Manager Phuti Mohafe is doing a stellar job with his team known for playing an attractive possession-based style of football, then swiftly counter-attacking with the ball being passed from side to side at a high pace. Patiently anticipating for gaps to open up in order to exploit spaces within opposition defences, with decisive players able to finish in style.
Polokwane City have scored some of the best team goals this season, claiming three victories from the last four matches at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, beating Kaizer Chiefs (2-0), Marumo Gallants (1-0) and Chippa United (1-0), impressively keeping three clean sheets in the process.
With a favourable set of fixtures on the horizon, Polokwane City can possibly qualify for continental football by finishing in the top four positions in the Betway Premiership. Clean sheets will be essential in achieving this target as Rise and Shine possess outstanding quality up front to score goals.
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Oswin Appollis: The 23-year-old forward is someone you would pay hard money to watch. The fleet-footed Appollis can constantly beat his man in 1vs1 situations, then use his incredible vision to create goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates. High football intelligence, which could prove crucial for South Africa’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers next month, seeing as Themba Zwane has yet to return to full fitness.
- Raymond Daniels: The former Hungry Lions striker is the spearhead of the attack. Daniels initiates the press from the front and runs his socks off for the team, making him an important cog within the orange machine, constantly leading the line for coach Mohafe, despite this being his first season in the top flight.
- Mokibelo Ramabu: Sealing the 2-0 victory over Kaizer Chiefs in style, right winger Ramabu scored the winner against Marumo Gallants in a similar fashion. Finishing first time at the back post, after a swift counterattack was played down the left flank with defender Tlou Nkwe swinging in a beautiful cross.
POLOKWANE CITY TEAM NEWS
Defender Thabang Matuludi remains out of action, nursing a knee injury suffered in the 1-0 win away at SuperSport United.
Promising defender Ayabonga Gwangqa, at only 20 years of age, has started and completed 90 minutes in the last three Betway Premiership matches since arriving from Upington City FC. Meanwhile, midfielder Sthabiso Ngwenya has only made one appearance off the bench after leaving Uthongathi FC for Polokwane City.
MAGESI FC: CURRENT FORM – WLDLL
Magesi FC ended their 11-match winless streak in the Betway Premiership, beating Cape Town City (2-0) courtesy of a first-half Mcedi Vandala penalty and Lehlohonolo Mtshali securing maximum points, 15 minutes before the final whistle.
The welcomed victory saw manager Owen Da Gama claim his first win in six league games since taking over the hot seat at Dikwena tsa Meetse from Clinton Larsen. Da Gama’s main area for concern will surely be his team failing to score in away matches during their debut season in the top flight, only finding the back of the net twice in eight games.
This will prove more challenging without key striker Wonderboy Makhubu leading the line for Magesi FC. “The medical team advised us to take Makhubu off because he had an extension on his knee, and they also asked us to take Lehlogonolo Mokone out, who they had cleared to play before the game. We had to listen to the professionals [medical team],” Da Gama explained to the media at Seshego Stadium.
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Mcedi Vandala: The right winger has contributed immensely since he arrived from Sekhukhune United in January. Making four Betway Premiership appearances for Magesi FC, opening his account with a powerful leaping header against Chippa United, meeting a precisely measured Deolin Mekoa cross. Doubling his tally from the penalty against Cape Town City.
- Wonderboy Makhubu: The striker is the focal point of attack and is excellent in using 190cm to full effect. Two of his three goals this season have come from headers against Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs.
- Elvis Chipezeze: On his day, the Zimbabwean shot-stopper is almost impossible to score against. Inspiring Magesi FC to become Carling Knockout Champions earlier this season, claiming Man of the Match awards in four consecutive matches against Orlando Pirates, TS Galaxy, Richards Bay and Mamelodi Sundowns.
MAGESI FC TEAM NEWS
Da Gama will be sweating on the fitness of striker Wonderboy Makhubu, who was forced off injured during the win over Cape Town City. “I’m very worried about his injury. He is a very influential player on this team. But we had to take him off because his future is more important than one game. The medical team will do a proper assessment tomorrow.”
“He still has a long future ahead of him. We were not going to take chances and aggravate it further or put him in a worse situation. We still need him to help us save the team.”
Da Gama added, “However, he was absolutely brilliant, he created the second goal. It was refreshing to have a player of his calibre who can come on and do the business.”
PREDICTED LINE-UPS
Polokwane City, 4-2-3-1: Bwire; Makhubela, Nikani, Nkaki, Gwangqa; Maphangule, Kambala; Ramabu, Letshedi, Appollis; Daniels.
Magesi FC, 4-2-3-1: Chipezeze; Abrahams, Makgoga, L. Mokone, J. Mokone; Komane, Darpoh; Vandala, Mtshali, Kakora; Makhubu.
SUGGESTED BETS
If you love betting on the Betway Premiership here are some bets you can place at some of the top football sportsbooks.
Under 2.5 Goals: The last three meetings between these opponents and nine of Polokwane City’s 10 home games have been low-scoring affairs with Under 2.5 Goals being scored. The easiest option on offer. (4/10 with Hollywoodbets)
Both Teams to Score – No: Magesi FC failing to score in their last three away matches makes this another sensible bet to consider adding to your selections. (40/100 with Betway)
Double Chance and Overs/Unders (Total 2.5): Polokwane City/Draw & Under 2.5 is another promising bet, with this option occurring in nine of the past 10 Betway Premiership matches at home for Polokwane City, (the only exception is their 2-1 victory against AmaZulu). (1/1 with YesPlay)
VALUE BETS
Polokwane City Win To Nil: Yes. This selection could yield a lucrative profit and is definitely our best value bet after scouring through all the details of this clash. (200/100 with Betway)
Polokwane City Total (Total 1.5): Over 1.5 Goals. Seeing as Polokwane City have won the previous two meetings between these opponents by a 2-0 scoreline, another profitable option could lie in Rise and Shine scoring twice. (250/100 with Betway)
Goal Range – 1-2: This option is for the risk-takers, looking to find massive value in a single fixture. The only way for this bet to go astray will be a goalless draw or a high-scoring match, which has yet to occur when these rivals lock horns. (125/100 with Supabets)
PREDICTION: POLOKWANE CITY TO WIN TO NIL
Magesi have struggled to find goals on their travels and that task will become more difficult against a Polokwane City outfit that has built their success on keeping six clean sheets from their 10 home matches. Manager Phuti Mohafe is one of the contenders for Coach of the Season in the Betway Premiership with star man Oswin Appollis expected to dazzle the fans in attendance at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Bryan is a passionate sports writer with a focus on football and cricket. While he loves top leagues like the UEFA Champions League, La Liga, and the Premier League, he also covers lesser-known leagues, offering previews and tips for sports betting sites.