Sekhukhune United defeated Royal AM 1-0 in a DStv Premiership clash at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Wednesday evening.

Babina Noko secured a third successive league win – and moved up to seventh place on the log – thanks to an early strike from Maloisane Mokhele.

As for Thwihli Thwahla, this is an eighth defeat of the league season and leaves them in 13th place on the log, two positions and nine points clear of the relegation playoff zone.

Sekhukhune created a clear chance as early as the second minute, as Vusumuzi Mncube got in behind the Royal defence but was denied one-on-one by goalkeeper Hugo Nyame.

That set the tone for the early stages, with the hosts building momentum and claiming the lead in the 12th minute, as Linda Mntambo did great work down the right flank before driving a low cross into the danger area which provided a tap-in from close range for Mokhele.

On 20 minutes Royal thought they had equalised via Motebang Sera, who converted Menzi Masuku’s fine through ball, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Babina Noko should have doubled their advantage just after the half-hour mark, but Nyame was on hand to make another fine save from an effort by Chibuike Ohizu, and shortly thereafter Kabelo Mahlasela had an effort at the other end, only for Badra Sangare to make a comfortable stop.

The teams cancelled each other out for the remainder of the first half, with the hosts enjoying a 1-0 lead at the interval.

Thwihli Thwahla looked to up their game in the second half and 10 minutes after the restart they created an opening for Sera, but the striker was unable to hit the target with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Sekhukhune’s next threat arrived just after the hour mark, as substitute Jamie Webber – with his first touch of the ball – whipped a shot on target from a free kick, but Nyame turned the ball away for a corner kick.

On 80 minutes the home side should have ended the game as a contest, with Ohizu gifted a glaring chance when Nyame dropped a shot from Webber, but the striker over complicated matters and ended up shooting wide.

The teams will return to Premiership action this weekend, with Sekhukhune away to Moroka Swallows on Saturday and Royal at home to Cape Town City the following day.

Sekhukhune United (1) 1 (Mokhele 12’)

Royal AM 0

Sekhukhune: Sangare, Mobbie, Cardoso, Yamba, Tiwani, Mkhize, Mokotjo (Mtshali 75’), Mntambo (Webber 62’), Mncube (Mohamme 85’), Mokhele (Mosadi 75’), Ohizu (Sarpong 85’)

Royal: Nyame, Sikakane, Cele, Jiyane, Matlaba, Mahlasela, Msomi, Shezi (George 81’), Masuku (Ndlovu 81’), Mashiane, Sera (Machupu 62’)