Chippa United bounced back when a stunning goal by Abel Mabaso in the first minute of the second half secured their 1-0 victory against Free State Stars during a Premier League match at Sisa Dukashe Stadium this afternoon.
The hard fought victory put the Chilli Boys on 30 points on the log-standings and it will give momentum going forward in the league.
During the first half Chilli Boys missed an opportunity to open the score board in the 11th minute when former Orlando Pirates skipper Thabo Rakhale managed to worm his way into the box – getting a one on one with Ali Sangare but took a wide shot.
Shortly after that in a counter-attack attempt, Stars' Thabang Klass who passed the Chilli Boys defence to find himself a personal meeting Daniel Akpeyi, but he disappointed with a soft shot that was too easy for Akpayi to catch.
Referee Phelelani Ndaba had to award Chilli Boys a free kick when Harris Tchilimbou took down Mabaso – but nothing came out of that shot taken by Akpeyi even though Rakhale put pressure on the Stars defence.
The former Pirates man was notable in strides to create chances but unfortunately he was under the Stars' defence radar.
Zitha Macheke and captain Mark Mayambela were among the risk takers but they were unlukcy as the Stars' defence was seemingly packing the bus at the NU 2 venue.
Both side were looking determined to score and Chilli Boys' Ayabulela Konqobe almost made a defence blunder of all time when he allowed dangerous Paulus Masehe to get passed him inside the box – thinking he was too far to get to the ball before Akpay.
But he was right and nothing came out that attempt by the visitors' lethal striker. In the first minute of second half Mabaso opened the score board when he managed to keep calm and aim for the net after beautiful touches in the front by Sali and Mayambela were too slick for the Stars' defence and keeper Sangare, scoring the only goal in match.
Subsitution Siphelele Mthembu who came in for Klaas was giving the Chilli Boys defence problems and often reaching Akpeyi's sight but the Chilli Boys shot stopper kept on rising to each special occasion.
Sali almost made a huge mistake when he pushed Tchilimbou just outside the box, giving Stars a chance to equalise but Masehe didn’t have his lucky boots on as his shot was too high for Akpayi to even entertain.
Both sides kept on pushing goals but they not ruthless enough on their finishing touches sending the crowd on their feet, leaving the full-time score 1-0.