• CRICKET, TRIATHLON, United, City draw as Chilli Boys thump Amakhosi
MARITZBURG United blew their chance of climbing the log, yet reclaimed third spot last night after they played to a 1-1 stalemate with Cape Town City at Harry Gwala Stadium.
The Team of Choice surrendered their 1-0 lead in the first moments of the five minutes of referee’s additional time when substitute Juma Choka finished well after the ball deflected to Bevan Fransman from kick.
Free State Stars also played to 1-1 against Golden Arrows at Princess Magogo Stadium in Kwamashu in the afternoon.
United are now tied on 39 points with Chiefs, but are ahead because of the superior goal difference.
They have Baroka, Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs Surprise Ralani’s free and Arrows in their last four matches.
United have to maintain their third spot until the end of the season to quality for the Caf Confederation Cup.
Andrea Fileccia did what he does best after 27 minutes when he netted his fifth league goal of the season, meeting a well-timed cross from Fortune Makaringe on the right, showing calmness to slot in.
The game went in to interval at 1-0. Cape Town City manager Benni Mccarthy made three changes in his attempt to find an equaliser.
He brought in Juma Choka, Kwanda Mngonyama and Allan Katerranga in the place of Judas Moseamedi, Thamsanqa Mkhize and Mpho Matsi.
City were unlucky not to grab the eqauliser in the 76th minute as Martin hit the post, with Ofori well beaten.
United had a plenty of chances to kill off the game, but decision-making in the final third let them down. Meanwhile,
Njabulo Ngidi reports from FNB Stadium that the slim hopes of winning the Absa Premiership title Kaizer Chiefs entertained were diminished yesterday by Amakhosi themselves with a woeful display not befitting of league contenders, when they lost 0-3 to Chippa United.
The Chilli Boys didn’t have to do much, but just nudge Amakhosi into self-implosion, leading to a frustrated group of fans who threw missiles onto the field and chanted Chiefs’ football manager Bobby Motaung’s name – telling him to come and answer for the mess they witnessed.
Chippa didn’t even go into third gear but they still did enough to complete a double over Amakhosi, having beaten them 1-0 in the first round at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
The visitors hit Amakhosi with two sucker punches before Edward Manqele delivered the knockout blow in optional time.
The Chilli Boys caught Chiefs napping to find the opener in a match that started on a low tempo.
Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Thabo Rakhale scored the first goal, Rakhale 25, with late strikes coming from Macuphu in the 77the minute, and Manqele in the sixth minute of stoppage time..
Despite Amakhosi having the joint-best defensive record in the league, their barren trophy cabinet attests to the lean spell they’ve had recently.