Eva Nga sends Chippa into cup quarters

Coach Dan Malesela’s foreign contingent came to the rescue as Chippa United beat Cape Town City 2-1 in a Nedbank Cup last-16 fixture that went to extra time at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha (formely Port Elizabeth) last night.

Nigerian Augustin Kwem opened the scoring for Chippa in the first half, but his 27thminute strike was nullified by City’s Abdul Ajagun’s goal in the 66th.

The teams finished regulation time deadlocked at 1-1 and the home team turned up the heat during extra time.

And it was eventually Cameroon’s Bienvenu Eva Nga who popped up to scoop the ball into the net with only four minutes remaining in extra time.

His winner will now see Chippa face Richards Bay in the quarterfinals.

In the first half, it was the visitors who looked more fired up and took the game to Chippa, forcing the hosts to take up a defensive formation.

City missed a number of goalscoring opportunities as they pushed for an early lead but it was the Gqeberha-based side who scored first as Kwem was on target after a long pass from Mokhele Maloisane.

The goal seemed to kick Chippa into gear as they kept on pounding on the Citizens’ goal in a bid to extend their lead.

In the 35th minute, Mduduzi Mdantsane glided through the Chilli Boys’ defence to find himself one-onone with the goalkeeper, but failed to slot the goal.

Thabo Nodada also shot at goal just before halftime break, but his strike went over the crossbar.

Feeling the pressure, coach Johannes Olde Riekerink made three changes going into the second half.

Keanu Cupido came in for Terence Mashego, while Justin Shonga replaced Fagrie Lakay.

Nigerian Ajagun had made his debut for his new team, coming on for Thato Mokeke.