Chippa snatch victory
CHIPPA United's Mhlengi Cele netted a dramatic late goal to help the Port Elizabeth side snatch a 2-1 victory over Wits University in their Absa Premiership match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium last night.
Cele latched onto a pass from his skipper Andile Mbenyane and found the net with a pinpoint right-footed strike in the 88th minute, much to the delight of the home fans.
The goal broke the 1-1 deadlock and also meant the Chilli Boys extended their unbeaten run in the PSL to six matches.
More impressive, though, is the fact that Chippa have moved into second position on the log standings with 17 points from their 10 games, 11 behind leaders Kaizer Chiefs.
Chippa's leading goal scorer David Zulu struck as early as the third when he nailed a penalty. Henrico Botes equalised for Wits before the break.
After scoring the opening goal, Chippa United came under pressure from the students. Wits started to control the game, dominating the home side's territory, but their shots were off target.
Zulu could have extended his side's lead when he broke through the visitors' defenders inside the penalty box but his shot was intercepted.
Wits continued to test the strength of Chippa goalkeeper Mbongeni Mzimela with long shots and Siyabonga Nhlapho's header in the 31st minute nearly beat him in the far corner.
Chippa United defender Gert Barends gave away a penalty in the box when he fouled Toriq Losper.
Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns ran into a resilient Mpumalanga Black Aces in the Premier Soccer League last night as the champions were held to a goalless draw.
Sundowns might have dominated possession and had the better chances, but they found it impossible to break down a stout defence as Aces extended to five games their unbeaten run away from home.
Sundowns again tinkered with their lineup and played with three in attack but despite sweeping moves were let down by decision-making on the edge of the opposing area.
Last night's other results: Swallows 0 SuperSport 1, University of Pretoria 3 Ajax Cape Town 0, Free State Stars 2 Polokwane City 5, Maritzburg Utd 0 Bloem Celtic 0. – Mthetho Ndoni. Additional reporting by Mark Gleeson
