While Teboho Moloi would have walked away delighted with a point away from home in Chippa United’s 1-1 draw with SuperSport United on Tuesday, his counterpart Eric Tinkler paid the price for the rotation approach, which was perhaps necessary given SuperSport United’s trip to Zambia this weekend for their CAF Confederation Cup commitment.
Recently appointed caretaker coach at Chippa United, Moloi came up against yet another foe in Tinkler at the Lucas Moripe Stadium – just a few days after he’d managed a goalless draw against Roger de Sa’s Platinum Stars – on Tuesday night.
Moloi has previous worked as an assistant coach at Orlando Pirates, first under De Sa and then Tinkler. And he was able to avoid defeat against both.
Not a bad return in his two matches at Chippa since taking over from axed Dan Malesela, but he will be hoping the unbeaten run soon turns into a winning streak.
SuperSport had taken the lead through right back Siyabonga Nhlapho, his first ever in the Premier League.
It was well-taken following a long throw from defender Morgan Gould, and the neat finish from Nhlapho surprised goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi, who watched it as it strolled into the net for the home side to take the lead.
Tinkler had tinkered with the team ahead of his side trip to Zambia to face Zesco United in the second leg quarter-final of their Confederation Cup tie at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Saturday.
Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Aubrey Modiba, Grant Kekana and Bradley Grobler were among the players who were rested.
Moloi made minor changes to the side that held Platinum Stars to a draw last week, and coming to SuperSport, he’d only had two training sessions with the team.
It was striker Moeketsi Sekola who grabbed the equaliser on the stroke of halftime, his goal-bound shot taking a deflection off Dean Furman to beat goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
Chippa moved to 10th place after five games with five points, while SuperSport remained in fifth place having now amassed seven points from four matches.
Absa Premiership Results
Orlando Pirates 1-0 Cape Town City
SuperSport United 1-1 Chippa United
Polokwane City 2-3 Free State Stars