Late goals in Chippa stalemate
Okwuosa strike saves Chilli Boys against Free State
CHIPPA United and Free State Stars played to a 1-1 draw in the early Absa Premiership match at the Goble Park Stadium in Bethlehem last night. The result sees both teams rise up the log, temporarily at least.
Ea Lla Koto are up one spot to ninth, with 12 points from 10 matches, while the Chilli Boys go up three positions to fifth, with 15 points from 11 outings in the league.
Both goals arrived late in the game, with the hosts taking a lead against the run of play thanks to a strike from Edward Manqele, while the visitors quickly equalised through James Okwuosa.
Chippa enjoyed the early possession, but struggled to create clear-cut chances.
Their best effort at goal in the opening half hour came via a 24th-minute free kick from Kurt Lentjies, which flew just over the crossbar.
Stars gradually claimed a foothold in the game and on 38 minutes they nearly claimed the lead, with winger Sinethemba Jantjie denied at close range by a superb save from Chippa goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi.
Ea Lla Koto also created the first chance of the second half, with skipper Paulus Masehe getting on the end of a corner kick, only to see his effort travel over the target without troubling the goalkeeper.
Masehe had another go at goal – this time from long range – a few minutes later, but Akpeyi pulled off another good save, while shortly thereafter Chippa put Paseka Mako clean through, but he was unable to get the better of Badra Ali Sangare.
On 64 minutes, the Chilli Boys had another good opportunity when Phetso Maphanga teed up Lentjies, but he was unable to beat Sangare, and was soon replaced by Moeketsi Sekola.
Sekola and the lively Mpho Mvelase continued to put Stars’ defence under pressure, but it was the hosts who broke the deadlock through substitute Edward Manqele in the 84th minute, with the striker taking advantage of some slack defending.
Yet, Ea Lla Koto’s lead was short lived, with the Chilli Boys equalising in the 86th minute. Menzi Masuku’s corner kick was headed home by defender James Okwuosa to see the match end 1-1.
Both teams will be in action again this weekend, with Stars away to Kaizer Chiefs and Chippa at home to Mamelodi Sundowns.
Meanwhile, under the pouring rain, AmaZulu and Kaizer Chiefs settled for a goalless draw in what turned out to be an uninspiring Absa Premiership encounter at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban.
AmaZulu, who finished the match with 10 men after Phumlani Gumede saw red in the second half, could have ended the match with all three points at home, but striker Lerato Lamola was denied by Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune from the penalty spot in the 52nd minute.
AmaZulu launched an attacking move into the Chiefs danger area from where under pressure defender Siyabonga Ngezana was judged to have handled the ball in the box, but Lamola blasted his effort straight at the outstretched legs of diving Khune, who was named the man-of-the match.
For Chiefs coach Steve Komphela, this was another lost opportunity as they drew their third successive match in the league, and are sitting in sixth place on the log with some work to do to refresh their title ambitions.
Other results: Polokwane City 0 Maritzburg United 0, Platinum Stars 0 Bloemfontein Celtic 0. – SuperSport.com, Mahlatse Mphahlele