Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila fought back to hold Chippa United to a 1-1 draw in the DStv Premiership match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
As a result, Tshakhuma moved up to the ninth spot on the league standings, while Chippa also climbed up to 11th place on the table.
The Chilli Boys got off to a bright start with Peter Maloisane looking lively for the home side and he had a chance to grab an early goal in the sixth minute.
Maloisane was afforded space and time on the edge of the box and he unleashed a low shot which was easily saved by Tshakhuma goalkeeper Washington Arubi.
Chippa were in control of the match, but Tshakhuma had a rare chance in the 14th minute when Lerato Lamola’s header was brilliantly saved by keeper Mlungisi Mazibuko.
The Chilli Boys then pilled pressure on the visitors and Arubi had to produce a fantastic one-handed save to deny Sandile Mthethwa 10 minutes before the half-hour mark.
However, the Zimbabwean shot-stopper was beaten in the 25th minute when Mthethwa set-up Augustine Chidi Kwem, who tapped home to make it 1-0 to Chippa.
Vhadau Vha Damani then took control of the match after conceding with the likes of Lamola, Thabo Rakhale and Rhulani Manzini keeping the Chilli Boys defence busy.
However, Chippa contained Tshakhuma and the score was 1-0 at the interval courtesy of Kwem’s second goal of the season.
Vhadau Vha Damani started the second-half brightly and they managed to level matters through Rakhale after the home side failed to clear their lines.
The ball fell kindly for the former Orlando Pirates winger, who beat Mazibuko with a well-taken shot to make it 1-1 five minutes into the second-half.
Chippa had a chance to respond with a goal a few minutes later after they were awarded a free-kick in a promising area, but Arubi produced a decent save to deny Mthethwa.
Tshakhuma were then reduced to 10 players with Meshack Maphangule having been sent off after receiving his second yellow card of the match.
Coach Lehlohonolo Seema then introduced Cameroonian marksman Bienvenu Eva Nga as Chippa looked to take advantage of their numerical superiority.
However, the Vhadau Vha Damani stood firm at the back in the closing stages of the game and ultimately, the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
Chippa (1) 1 (Kwem 25′)
Tshakhuma (0) 1 (Rakhale 50′)
Chippa: Mazibuko, Hanamub, Nhlapho, Mthethwa, Khooa (Francis 78′), Lebitso (Sekotlong 66′), Mokhele (Maziya 46′), Sibeko, Maloisane, Mogakwe (Eva Nga 71′), Kwem.
Tshakhuma: Arubi, Lukhubeni, Ndengane, Ravhuhali, Nkili, Maphangule, Theron (Mpambaniso 82′), Rakhale (Timm 81′), Lamola (Ngema 64′), Manzini (Shonga 53′).
SOURCED FROM THE PSL WEBSITE.
