Johannesburg - The University of Pretoria took a positive step to moving away from the relegation zone when they beat Chippa United 3-0 in an Absa Premiership match at the Tuks Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
A first half goal by Willem Mwedihanga and second half efforts from Thabo Mosadi and Getaneh Kebede sealed the win for Tuks, who move to within one point of 14th placed Jomo Cosmos.
The visiting side made a strong start to the game, and could have been ahead after 10 minutes, but with time on the edge of the area, Xola Mlambo sent his shot over the bar.
Six minutes later and Aristides Bance looked a certainty to blast the ball into the back of the net from close range, but his shot was too close to Tuks goalkeeper Tristyn Coetzee, who made a fine reflex save.
The Tshwane side then broke up-field with pace and purpose and had a wonderful chance to score after the ball was worked to Ian Chikohwa out on the left, but with a big target to aim at, he curled his shot wide of the far post.
The Chilli Boys though were having more frequent forays in to the opposition box, with Mlambo shooting wide again on the 28th minute.
But AmaTuks moved ahead on 35 minutes, captain Mwedihanga scoring with a well-placed header into the top corner after the Port Elizabeth-based side had failed to deal with a corner kick.
The early stages of the second half were evenly contested, before Tuks doubled the score-line on 60 minutes when substitute Mosadi showed great pace and purpose down the right wing before finishing sublimely with a low drive into the far corner of the net.
It was 3-0 to Shaun Bartlett’s side 10 minutes later, Getaneh Kebede netting on the rebound from close range after Chilli Boys keeper Daniel Akpeyi had initially made a smart stop.
The third goal took the sting out of the game, the University side able to play out the final 20 minutes with relative comfort for their first win in six league games.
African News Agency