Royal Bafokeng Stadium – Chippa United caused a mess and sent a message on Saturday.
Dan Dance Malesela’s charges outplayed Platinum Stars and shrugged them off to reach the semifinals of the MTN8.
In soaring conditions the Chilli Boys were too hot to handle for Cavin Johnson and his men. Goals by Rhulani Manzini and debutant Menzi Masuku ensured the men from Port Elizabeth have no qualms en route to the semifinals of the top eight tournament.
One of the errors Stars committed was to allow the Chilli Boys room to roam around. Man marking and pressing the visitors would have minimized their threat but Johnson’s men opted for an open game. That’s how Chippa wanted it. The men from PE were able to flex their muscles and did as they pleased with captain Thami Sangweni pulling strings from the middle. Stars seemed not to have solutions for the combination of Sangweni, Vuyani Sali, Andile Mbenyane and Thembikosi Lorch.
Before Chippa took charge, the home side came close to scoring with a Tintswalo Tshabalala freekick that was flicked over the posts by defender James Okwuosa.
Not long after that Chippa broke the deadlock courtesy of Manzini. Ironically Stars had possession of the ball. Rightback Sphiwe Mnuguni’s attempted backpass to keeper Mbongeni Mzimela was interrupted by Manzini, who latched on to the ball before rounding the keeper. Thereafter he had the easiest job to help the ball over the goal line. It was Manzini’s third goal in two matches after his brace helped the Chilli Boys to a 2-1 victory over Free State Stars midweek.
Buoyed by the goal, Chippa were at home dictating the proceedings. They could have added another goal. Sali was accorded all the space in the world just outside the box. The pintsized midfielder pushed the ball forward and rifled a low shot that sailed across the face of goals. Stars rarely threatened. The promising move so Ndumiso Mabela and Robert Ngambi combine with the South African international going down the right. He then put in a cross that was cleared by Chippa defence and the ball fell kindly for Mere. Instead of taking a shot at goal, Mere decided to offload to Msomi, who was judged offside.
Stars’ woes were further compounded by the injury to marksman Henrico Botes, who limped off and his place was taken by Sipho Senne.
Even in the second half, Dikwena played second fiddle as Chippa took off from where they left. At some point the match resembled a training session with Chippa players knocking the ball around. They took some time to create chances. When they did get the chances, they were dangerous. They got close to adding another goal when Lerato Manzini, Menzi Masuku and Lorch combined with the latter finding Mbenyane on the edge of the box. Mbenyane hit a shot that rammed against the upright much to the relief of Stars.
Minutes later Malesela’s couldn’t be denied. They were poised to celebrate after Sangweni released Lorch down the right. The skillful winger spotted Masuku’s run and he obliged with a pass for Masuku to tap in Chippa’s second on his debut.
Stars were completely not in the game as Chippa deservedly progressed to the next stage of the MTN8.
And the message is clear: Beware and be wary of Chippa.
Platinum Stars 0
Chippa United 2
Manzini 9th , Masuku 78th - Independent Media