Chilli Boys too hot for Free State Stars
CHIPPA United got their Absa Premier Soccer League campaign off to a dream start with a 2-1 victory over Free State Stars at Nelson Mandela Bay stadium last night.
Two goals from Rhulani Manzini ensured that the Chilli Boys claimed a full haul of points on the opening night as they embarked on their journey to better their sixth place finish of last season.
The superb start is sure to give coach Dan “Dance” Malesela’s team a major confidence boost going into the season and, more especially, for Saturday’s MTN8 quarterfinal against Platinum Stars.
Chippa travel to Rustenburg to play Dikwena in the first round of the competition.
Ahead of the game Manzini, who missed the last five matches of the league last season due to injury, said he was looking to reach double figures in terms of goals this season.
The striker only scored four goals for the Port Elizabeth side last season, but he certainly got off to a flying start last night.
Chippa’s new recruits man-of-the-match Marc van Heerden and Thembinkosi Lorch enjoyed their first match of the season, and both men played a vital role in Chippa’s win last night.
The Chilli Boys came out guns blazing in the first 10 minutes of the game.
The first attempt at goal came as early as three minutes into the match when van Heerden’s strike at goals was blocked by the Stars defence.
Chippa continued to press hard, looking for that opening goal. It was Manzini who scored the first goal of the match in the sixth minute.
Ea Lla Koto did not take the blow lying down and had a few missed opportunities at goals.
The visitors’ equaliser came in the 17th minute of the game through Charles Kampi from a corner kick.
Manzini then put his side in the lead in the 34th minute when he found himself one-on-one with the Stars goalkeeper and easily slotted the ball in the right corner of the net.
● Bhongolwethu Jayiya and Aubrey Ngoma scored a goal apiece to see Cape Town City to a 2-0 victory over Polokwane City in their debut Absa Premiership match last night.
The newly-formed club have leaped to the top of the log standings on goal difference, with their win at the Cape Town Stadium the only one of the night by a two-goal margin.
The first half saw little action and looked set to end goalless, but in injury time Bhongolwethu Jayiya smashed a left-footed effort into the back of the net to break the deadlock in favour of the hosts.
Rise and Shine started the second half strongly, with Puleng Tlolane again looking threatening in attack, though goalkeeper Samora Motloung was generally untroubled thanks to the efforts of his defenders.
In the other matches played last night Bidvest Wits beat visiting Kaizer Chiefs 2-1. Goals for Wits came from Elias Pelembe and Thulani Hlatshwayo while Chiefs replied through Lorenzo Joao Gordinho. At Old Peter Mokaba Stadium Baroka FC and Ajax Cape Town played to a 1-1 draw.