Chippa deadlock with ninth PSL draw
CHIPPA United failed to beat a 10-man Polokwane City in their Premier Soccer League fixture and settled for a goalless draw at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium last night.
The draw marked Chippa’s ninth deadlock in the league this season.
The Port Elizabeth based soccer team were hoping to double their winnings against the Rise and Shine, whom they beat 2-0 in a Nedbank Cup fixture at the weekend.
Chippa are 10th on the log with 24 points from 23 matches.
The Chilli Boys brought the game to the visitors with high tempo and a physical first half, which saw City go down to 10 men when Esau Kanyenda was given a red card for his second questionable offence in the 34th min.
The Chilli Boys had more goal scoring opportunities than their opponents but they failed to put the ball inside the net and both teams went into the break empty handed.
The second stanza kicked off slowly but Chippa turned up the heat in the 56th min.
Malesela’s troops attacked hard as they were desperately looking for that opening goal.
In the 59th min Chippa had a chance to take the lead when Menzi Masuku’s corner kick landed on Justice Chabalala who headed the ball over the crossbar.
Phetolo Sekome dribbled his way into the box and sent the ball to Masuku for a perfect finish, but his strike was saved by United goalkeeper George Chigova.
The visitors also had a few chances at goals but Chippa closed down every opportunity.
● At Orlando Stadium Pirates’ chalked up their first Absa Premiership victory in 12 matches with a 2-0 victory against Maritzburg United, and which could well be a turning point that sees Bucs back in the top eight.
Ayanda Gcaba’s 13th-minute header and substitute Dove Wome’s 79thminute finish gave Bucs a second win in a row.
Maritzburg were reduced to 10 men when they had centreback Brian Onyango sent off for a second bookable offence in the 61st.
Slowly Bucs coach Kjell Jonevret’s game plan with his current resources is taking shape as the coach earned his first league win.
● Bidvest Wits demolished Golden Arrows 3-0 at Bidvest Stadium, which put the Clever Boys into the driver’s seat after 21 matches in the Absa Premiership, one game less than Cape Town City who they now lead by two points.
Limbikani Mzava didn’t do Arrows’ any favours by handing Wits a chance to score their 36th goal of the league after he handled the ball in the box. Gabadinho Mhango stepped up and put the hosts in the lead from the penalty spot.
Mogakolodi Ngele sealed the result with a thunderbolt and a tap-in to complete a brace within five minutes. — With additional reporting by Marc Strydom and Njabulo Ngidi