Plucky Chippa go down to lucky Supersport

SUPERSPORT United again looked unconvincing, stumbling somewhat to last night's 1-0 Absa Premiership win against Chippa United at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.

Both sides finished with 10 men, with SuperSport forward Prince Nxumalo and Chippa defender Christopher Komane sent off after an altercation in the 66th minute.

SuperSport have started the season in patchy form – so much so that media reports have suggested coach Cavin Johnson is under pressure. They lost 1-0 to Bidvest Wits in their opener.

The Pretoria side would surely acknowledge an element of fortune to last night's victory.

Their defence at times opened alarmingly to Chippa's quick running and numbers in the box.

Matsatsantsa's penalty awarded in the 25th minute by controversial referee Victor Gomes, and scored by defender Clayton Daniels, appeared questionable.

Port Elizabeth's new PSL team might not be the most organised, but the early signs on their return to the top-flight is that they are set to thrill with the attacking football they aim to play.

History has shown such an approach is no guarantee of surviving relegation, but it should be some ride either way.

Chippa coach Kosta Papic again watched from the stands with his work permit still not finalised.

The Chilli Boys committed numbers forward with energy and enthusiasm, though they were also exposed at the back. Combined with SuperSport's looseness, it made for an entertaining match.

Chippa's clever running troubled the home side's back four from the start. They should have scored in the 15th minute when they had two against one in the area and Siyabulela Shai squared to new striker David Zulu, who beat Ronwen Williams, but saw his shot blocked by Tamsanqa Teyise.

At the other end, Bennett Chenene should also have found the net when he was alone to Prince Nxumalo's chip across the box, but he scuffed his volley wide.

Gomes gave his second spot-kick of the season – in two matches – to SuperSport in the 25th minute after what appeared to be a ball-to-hand incident from Chippa's William Twala. Daniels slotted to the left of Motsoeneng. - Marc Strydom

• In last night's other match, Wits and the University of Pretoria drew 1-1.