Johannesburg - A goal two minutes from time by Andile Mbenyane propelled Chippa United to a 2-1 win over Platinum Stars at the Athlone Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The Cape side had the first chance of the game in the third minute when James Okwuoso fired a volley over the bar after Sindiso Nqothani’s corner kick.
In what was an enterprising start to the game, several chances followed in quick succession for the team from the North West as Ngele Mogakolodi fired a shot across the goalmouth before Chippa keeper Daouda Kassaly beat Thuso Phala’s shot to safety.
It was, however, the home side who were to take the lead in the 30th minute when Larry Cohen struck with a wonder goal from 30 metres out, finding the top corner.
However, a moment of misfortune was to prove costly to the Chilli Boys as Martin Moonsamy put the ball into his own net with a misplaced back-pass in the 40th minute.
Stars started the second half with a bang, putting the Cape side under pressure with some direct attacking play, but failed to create any clear-cut chances.
Chippa then began to play their way back into the game, with Brent Carelse proving influential.
The home side were unlucky not to go ahead in the 70th minute after being awarded an indirect free kick in the box. Welcome Qalanto struck the crossbar.
Another half chance followed as Cohen had a bicycle kick blocked.
A draw against in-form Dikwena seemed a decent result for the struggling home side, but they were to turn one point into three as Andile Mbenyane got on the end of Diego Brown’s free kick within two minutes of regulation time.
The visiting side did, however, push for an equaliser and should have levelled the game, but Patrick Malokase blazed a shot over from close range in the dying seconds. - Sapa