Chilli Boys too hot for new comers AmaZulu

GOALS from Moeketsi Sekola and Abel Mabaso saw Chippa United record their first win of the new Premier Soccer League season when they beat AmaZulu 2-0, at a chilly Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium last night.

The Port Elizabeth side kicked off the season on a bad note after losing 1-0 to Soweto giants Orlando Pirates in their first league fixture of the season, at Soweto Stadium on the weekend.

But last night’s win against Usuthu has made up for that and coach Dan “Dance” Malesela will be hoping his troops continue producing good results, as he plans to bank at least 12 to 15 points before the December break.

There were little to no attempts from either side in the first 30 minutes, however Chippa’s Sekola opened the scorecard seven minutes later.

The former Free State Stars player broke through the Usuthu defence unmarked and comfortably placed the ball in the right corner of the net.

Minutes later Sandile Zuke tried to extend the score margin, but his shot was saved by Amazulu’s goalkeeper Siyabonga Mbatha.

The game came alive in the second stanza as the home side was attacking hard in search of that second goal of the match, focusing the visitors to take defence mode.

Kurt Lentjies attempt in the 56 mins came short when his strike was blocked by Amzulu goalkeeper.

Chippa kept putting pressure on Amazulu, which saw Mabaso scoring the final goal of the night in the 82nd minute.

● If it was not for the occasional sparks provided by Polokwane City’s two goal hero Rodney Ramagalela that helped his side to a well deserved 2-1 win over Mamelodi Sundowns, last night’s encounter between the two sides at Loftus Versfeld could be summed up as damp squib.

For large parts of the chilly night yesterday, both sets of players failed to apply the basics and their work was largely riddled with schoolboy errors.

This match is the second of the season for both teams and maybe they are still shaking off-season cobwebs but they have a lot of work to do in the coming weeks as the campaign will be gaining momentum.

Rodney Ramagalela opened the scoring after 35 minutes thanks to an error by midfielder Oupa Manyisa who completely forgot the basics of trapping the ball.

Jabulani Maluleke passed the ball to Ramagalela who beat Sundowns defender Bangaly Soumahoro, who was suspect for most of the game, inside the box but only to misplace his pass to Manyisa who had the option of clearing the danger.

Manyisa, who was not expecting to be called into action inside the box, failed to control the ball and only managed to pass it back to the Ramagalela who pounced home from close range to beat advancing Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango.

The Brazilians replied in the 53rd minute when referee Chris Harrison awarded them a controversial penalty after the ball hit the hand of City defender Thapelo Tshilo in the penalty box.

Lebese showed nerves of steel to stand up and to calmly beat George Chigova from the spot to draw the Brazilians level.

After Lebese’s goal, it appeared as if the match was headed for a share of the spoils but Ramagalela had other ideas as he turned Motjeka Madisha before unleashing a thunderous shot from just outside the box in the 68th minute.

● Baroka FC can play. Pirates’ new coach Milutin Sredojevic found that out to his peril as his side took a lead, but appeared to take their foot off the gas and surrendered it, in Orlando last night’s 1-1 draw PSL match.

Thabo Qalinge put Bucs ahead in the 41st minute on a pristine Peter Mokaba Stadium pitch that afforded silky football. Baroka’s new signing Abdi Banda levelled in the 73rd.

Baroka, having fought relegation last season, brought in Doctor Khumalo this past week to beef up their football staff as technical director.

And they have strengthened their playing staff too, with Siphelele Ntshangase, also signed this week as the Limpopo side served notice of their intention to improve in their second Premier Soccer League season. — DDC