PORT ELIZABETH – Chippa United bounced back from last weekend’s defeat to Orlando Pirates with a comfortable 2-0 victory over AmaZulu at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Tuesday night.
Moeketsi Sekola put the home side in charge when he scored in the 37th minute, before Abel Mabaso sealed victory for Dan Malesela’s team eight minutes from time.
Both players were amongst a host of new recruits brought in by the Port Elizabeth-based club this season.
There was not much in the way of goal-mouth action early on as both sides battled to pry open resolute sets of defences.
Chippa midfielder Mark Mayambela looked to try and make things happen for his side in the seventh minute when he beat his man, but his shot rose over the bar, while for Usuthu, Michael Morton’s effort from range flew straight at Chilli Boys keeper Brighton Mhlongo.
The home team grew stronger as proceedings wore on, and the complexion of the game was changed eight minutes before halftime when Sekola pounced from close range to give Chippa the lead.
There was soon another chance for an increasingly dominant Chilli Boys side, but Zeph Mbokoma’s snap-shot was kept out by the visiting keeper.
With Kurt Lentjies pulling the strings in midfield for the Eastern Cape side after halftime, Chippa looked comfortably in command of the game, although there seemed little urgency to push for the second goal.
Chances remained in short supply, but home side were finally rewarded for their patience eight minutes from time when Lentjies played in Abel Mabaso for the second goal of the night – allowing the lively home crowd to end the evening in joyous song as the Chilli Boys got their 2017/18 show up and running with a solid display.
African News Agency (ANA)