Bucks claim inaugural Mandela Cup

Now the struggling NFD rookies are high in confidence ahead of their Nedbank Cup qualifier match against Cape Town All Stars next week at the same venue and another tough meeting in the league against Moroka Swallows five days later.

Bucks will be hoping that the victory rids them of the curse that has been hovering over them in the NFD league with no win in 12 matches.

For the Chilli Boys, the defeat is bad news considering that they are scheduled for a tough league encounter against Bloemfontein Celtic in East London on December 18.

The hosts drew the first blood and the game’s only goal exactly on the half-time stroke courtesy of Mashale Rantabane, benefiting from a beautiful set-piece delivery from the right flank. Although Chippa’s goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi pulled a brilliant save the first time, he was not quick enough to get up when Rantabane fired the second shot from a rebound.

Chippa were the culprits in this regard, neglecting to commit in 50/50 situations, especially Mark Mayambela who just recovered from a injury that has kept him out in the Absa Premiership.

But the tempo intensified in earnest in the last 45 with both sides having a good go at each other.

The more than 5000 strong crowd who came out for the entertaining encounter got their money’s worth.