Chilli Boys start 2017 on positive note
CHIPPA United defeated Baroka FC 2-1 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in their opening Absa Premiership match of 2017 last night.
Maboke Matlakala scored the opening goal in favour of the visiting Bakgaga, but the Chilli Boys hit back through Thamsanqa Sangweni and then found a late winner through Rhulani Manzini.
The result sees the Eastern Cape side rise to eighth place on the log, now with 19 points from 15 matches.
The Limpopo side, meanwhile, remain at the foot of the table with 12 points from 16 matches.
Chippa started brightly, but found themselves a goal down in the 13th minute when Khunadi Nkoana saw his shot well saved by Daniel Akpeyi, only for Matlakala to turn home the rebound and make it 1-0 to the visitors.
On the brink of halftime Chippa were able to find an equaliser.
Diamond Thopola provided the assist for midfielder and captain Sangweni, whose right-footed shot beat goalkeeper Avhashona Tshinuna to leave the game at 1-1 heading into the interval.
The second half saw relatively few chances created at either end, and the game looked set to fizzle out for a tame draw. However, in injury time, Rhulani Manzini struck with a superb effort from a free kick to see Chippa claim a 2-1 victory.
● Goals from Simphiwe Tshabalala, Bernard Parker and Willard Katsande gave Kaizer Chiefs a 3-1 win over Free State Stars.
The victory elevates the Soweto giants to the third spot with 27 points from 16 league matches so far, while Rooi Mahamutsa netted a consolation for the visitors.
The highly anticipated encounter got off to a bright start with both camps exchanging the ball possession in the opening first 10 minutes.
Amakhosi were the first to score as Tshabalala beat goalkeeper Thela Ngobeni from a free kick.
As they dominated the proceedings, Chiefs received a penalty towards the half-hour mark after Edmore Chirambadare was fouled by Ngobeni in the box. Parker doubled their lead at the second attempt after Ngobeni initially saved the penalty.
The hosts managed to shift gears in second half and Katsande showed composure in the box to make it 3-0.
With 17 minutes to go, the Bethlehembased side received a set piece on the edge of the box and Mahamutsa pulled one back in the 73rd minute.
● Cape Town City thrashed Highlands Park 3-0 at the Cape Town Stadium in their encounter last night.
The victory took the Citizens to position two on the log standings, while the Lions of the North remain 15th.
City began the match lively and they took the lead through Lebogang Manyama, who scored with a beautiful curler to make it 1-0 five minutes into the game.
Letsie Koapeng doubled his new side’s lead two minutes after the half-hour mark while Judas Mosemeadi scored with his right foot to beat Highlands keeper Tapuwa Kapini and seal the 3-0 win for City.
● At Bidvest Stadium, Bidvest Wits went on a five-goal rampage against a hapless Ajax Cape Town to notch up their 5-0 victory.
The goal feast came from Phakamani Mahlambi in the 20th minute; Thulani Hlatshwayo (in the 32nd minute); Gabadinho Mhango (59); James Keene (62); and Gabadinho Mhango (78). — Supersport.