Chippa United overcome AmaZulu

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Sunday Jan 07, 2018. 17:43

Chippa United defeated AmaZulu FC 2-0 in an Absa Premiership match at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

As a result, the Chilli Boys move to seventh place on the league table, while Usuthu remain 13th on the standings.

The hosts dominated the match in the early stages of the counter with Jabulani Ncobeni looking lively.

It should have been 1-0 to AmaZulu when Sduduzo Dlamini's effort beat Chippa goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo, but the woodwork came to the visitors' rescue.

The visitors did threaten, but Usuthu goalkeeper Energy Murambadoro came off his line to get the ball, before Chippa striker Mxolisi Macuphu could pounce.

Ncobeni continued to terrorize the Chilli Boys defence and his delightful cross found Ovidy Karuru, who missed the target from close range with a header.

Chippa had a glorious opportunity to take the lead a few minutes before half-time following a good move by Teboho Moloi's charges.

However, Murambadoro pulled off a fine low save to deny Kurt Lentjies to ensure that the first-half ended with AmaZulu and Chippa locked at 0-0.

It took only seven minutes for the Chilli Boys to open the scoring in the second-half when Linda Mntambo scored with a long-range effort to make it 1-0 to the visitors.

Cavin Johnson, the Usuthu head coach, reacted by introducing Mhlengi Cele, who has scored three league goals this season.

However, the visitors doubled their lead through debutant Mntambo and this time the midfielder scored from close range to make it 2-0 to Chippa in the 63rd minute.

AmaZulu pushed forward in numbers as they looked to pull one back, but Cele was brilliantly denied by Chippa keeper Brighton Mhlongo in the closing stages of the game.

The match ended 2-0 in favour of Chippa in the end with AmaZulu left to rue their missed chances on the day.

AmaZulu (0)

Chippa (0) 2 (Mntambo 52', 63')

AmaZulu: Murambadoro, Sikhakhane, Mabiliso, Gumede M, Nyongo, Ncube, Morton (Khenyeza 71'), Dlamini S (Ramphele 66'), Ncobeni, Karuru, Manzini (Cele 55').

Chippa: Mhlongo, Modisane, Mako, Konqobe, Okwuosa, Mabaso, Mntambo, Lenjties (Mdlinzo 57'), Mbokoma, Mahola (Rakhale 60'), Macuphu (Mashego 75').