City started strong, with defender Fezile Gcaba rising high to meet a beautiful cross from Sizwe Magawana to head the ball into the far corner in the 11th minute. Gcaba rose again in the closing stages of the opening stanza, but this time his header went wide.
A frustrated Rise and Shine coach Phuti Mohafe made a triple change to start the second half. It paid off, as Polokwane's attack began to make inroads. Try as they might, the City defence held firm well into the dying embers of the match.
But the visitors were handed a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty for a handball in the box, and Lebohang Nkaki calmly slotted an 87th-minute equaliser to force extra time.
Polokwane's hope was short-lived. Three minutes into extra-time, City defender Nzuzo Mkhize's acrobatic finish saw them go 2-1 up.
City continued to press forward and that man Gcaba continued to be in the right place at the right time. First, hecombined with Katlego Maphathe to fire the ball into the top corner, then he completed his hat-trick with another brilliant header from a corner.
Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi cut a frustrated figure after watching his side crash out of the Carling Knockout semi-finals despite dominating large spells against Marumo Gallants at King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday.
Orlando Pirates will enjoy home advantage when they take on Marumo Gallants in the 2025 Carling Knockout Cup final, after the Premier Soccer League (PSL) confirmed the venue and date for the much-anticipated clash.
Richards Bay mentor Ronnie Gabriel was proud of his players despite their 1-0 defeat to Orlando Pirates in the semi-finals of the Carling Knockout.
Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou was proud to see his side secure their place in the final of the Carling Knockout with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Richards Bay on Saturday.
