Chippa United extended their unbeaten run in the league to six matches when they painfully defeated Bidvest Wits 2-1 in a Absa Premiership at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium last night.
A late goal by substitute Mhlengi Cele gave Chippa the maximum points after the two sides went on half-time break level on 1-1.
The Port Elizabeth-based side’s leading goal scorer, David Zulu, broke the deadlock with a penalty kick in the third minute. Henrico Botes equalised for Wits before the break.
Chippa are now 17 points from their league opening encounters.
Since Roger Sikhakhane took over as an interim coach at Chippa the Chilli Boys never lost league games but they were eliminated in the 2014 Telkom Knockout Cup by Platinum Stars.
After scoring the opening goal in the early minutes of the first half, Chippa were under pressure from the Students, who were eager to score before the break.
Wits started to control the game, dominating the home side’s territory but their shots were off target.
Even when opportunities came, like the one that saw Jabulani Shongwe shoot slightly over the crossbar, and Chippa goalie Mbongeni Mzimela calmly collected tame efforts from attackers.
Zulu could have extended the score when he broke through the visitors’ defenders inside the penalty box but his shot was easily intercepted.
Wits continued to test the strength of Mzimela with long shots but the Chilli Boys’ number one kept his eye on the ball at all times.
Siyabonga Nhlapho’s header in the 31st minute nearly beat Mzimela in the far corner but the ball went wide.
Chippa were forced to defend deeply as the Students attacked in numbers but the combination of Twala, Zulu and George Akpabio caught Wits on counter attack.
Chippa defender Barends gave away a penalty in the box when he fouled Toriq Losper and Botes made sure the teams were level before the half-time break.
Wits were the more cautious of the two in the first half but they tried to play open football after the break.
Chippa showed fighting spirit in the second half even though they were shaky and gave the Students too much space to test their goalie.
The match remained tactical and tense as the two coaches made substitutions that indicated they wanted all three points.
Christopher Katongo replaced Erwin Isaacs, Amos Ngcobo came on for Botes for Wits, while Akpabio made way for Cele.
Chippa secured their three points without their deadly attacking midfielder Thamsanqa Sangweni, who was red-carded in his team’s last match. — ndonim@timesmedia.co.za
Chippa take Students down with late goal
A late goal by substitute Mhlengi Cele gave Chippa the maximum points after the two sides went on half-time break level on 1-1.
The Port Elizabeth-based side’s leading goal scorer, David Zulu, broke the deadlock with a penalty kick in the third minute. Henrico Botes equalised for Wits before the break.
Chippa are now 17 points from their league opening encounters.
Since Roger Sikhakhane took over as an interim coach at Chippa the Chilli Boys never lost league games but they were eliminated in the 2014 Telkom Knockout Cup by Platinum Stars.
After scoring the opening goal in the early minutes of the first half, Chippa were under pressure from the Students, who were eager to score before the break.
Wits started to control the game, dominating the home side’s territory but their shots were off target.
Even when opportunities came, like the one that saw Jabulani Shongwe shoot slightly over the crossbar, and Chippa goalie Mbongeni Mzimela calmly collected tame efforts from attackers.
Zulu could have extended the score when he broke through the visitors’ defenders inside the penalty box but his shot was easily intercepted.
Wits continued to test the strength of Mzimela with long shots but the Chilli Boys’ number one kept his eye on the ball at all times.
Siyabonga Nhlapho’s header in the 31st minute nearly beat Mzimela in the far corner but the ball went wide.
Chippa were forced to defend deeply as the Students attacked in numbers but the combination of Twala, Zulu and George Akpabio caught Wits on counter attack.
Chippa defender Barends gave away a penalty in the box when he fouled Toriq Losper and Botes made sure the teams were level before the half-time break.
Wits were the more cautious of the two in the first half but they tried to play open football after the break.
Chippa showed fighting spirit in the second half even though they were shaky and gave the Students too much space to test their goalie.
The match remained tactical and tense as the two coaches made substitutions that indicated they wanted all three points.
Christopher Katongo replaced Erwin Isaacs, Amos Ngcobo came on for Botes for Wits, while Akpabio made way for Cele.
Chippa secured their three points without their deadly attacking midfielder Thamsanqa Sangweni, who was red-carded in his team’s last match. — ndonim@timesmedia.co.za
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