Chilli Boys sizzle against Stars
A goal from Ruzaigh Gamildien saw Chippa United record their second victory of the season in the Absa Premiership after they beat Free State Stars 1-0 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Wednesday night.
The win was the side’s first success at the Port Elizabeth stadium this season.
Before the match, coach Eric Tinkler said a positive result against Stars was vitally important, especially because the team was playing at home.
Although the former Bafana Bafana star’s second wish – of scoring more goals – was not fulfilled by his players, he will be happy his troops were able to secure the full three points.
The win will also bring comfort to Tinkler because his boys are starting to warm up to his style of coaching.
The first half started off slowly with no serious threats on goal from either side.
It was only in the 20th minute that the teams switched into attack mode.
Chippa tested Stars goalkeeper Ali Sangare in the 24th minute when Zitha Macheke’s corner kick hit the crossbar.
A minute later, Kurt Lentjies launched a sizzling strike just outside the box but missed.
The visitors hit back but Eleazar Rodgers’ attempt was denied by Chippa’s defence in the 32nd minute.
In the second half, Chippa’s Thabo Rakhale, who came off the bench, tried his luck but his shot was thwarted by the Stars defence.
The Chilli Boys eventually got their goal through Gamildien in the 67th minute.
Orlando Pirates’ form at home went from bad to worse when they were held to a 0-0 draw by Lamontville Golden Arrows, who came to Orlando Stadium looking for their first win in seven league matches.
Pirates’ failure to beat Abafana Besthende also robbed them of a chance to go one point clear at the top of the Absa Premiership.
For Bucs, this draw means they have managed to gather only six points at home from a possible 15 this season.
Pirates’ only three points in Orlando came in their 3-1 victory against SuperSport United in the middle of September.
Pirates hardly created a single clear-cut chance in the first half of this match, with balls from Paseka Mako, Thembinkosi Lorch and Vincent Pule not reaching their targetman up front, Augustine Mulenga.
Arrows were equally wasteful when going forward.
Striker Nduduzo Sibiya had two free-kicks in front of Pirates’ goals inside the 45 minutes, but his tame shots hardly troubled Mpontshane.
Clinton Larsen’s team also had a good chance towards the end of the first stanza, but Siboniso Chonco shot wide when he was put through by Sibiya.
Two minutes after the restart, Lorch also had his opportunity to put Bucs ahead after receiving a through-pass from Pule, but his weak shot went way wide off the posts.
Pule was unlucky not to add to his three league goals when his free kick in referee’s optional time went just over the bar.
Arrows could have also punished Pirates when Sibusiso Sibeko found himself with enough space in front of goals after a good buildup, but the winger headed straight to Mpontshane.
Sensing another embarrassing result at home, coach Milutin Sredojevic threw in Justin Shonga to join his Zambian counterpart Mulenga midway through the second half.
However, the Arrows defenders, led by their captain Nkanyiso Mngwengwe, did well to cut out all the dangerous balls which were pumped into their area.