Chippa United have risen to fourth place on the 2020-21 DStv Premiership log after claiming a 3-1 win over Maritzburg United at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The Chilli Boys’ first win of the season was secured by a hat-trick from striker Bienvenu Eva Nga, while the Team of Choice have now lost three in a row at the start of the campaign and only Black Leopards’ inferior goal difference has kept Eric Tinkler’s team from the ignominy of last place.
Maritzburg made all the early running and claimed the lead 10 minutes into the match, with Daylon Claasen latching onto a miscued shot from teammate Keagan Buchanan before stabbing the ball home from close range to put the visitors ahead.
Chippa didn’t let their heads drop after conceding the early goal and worked their way back into the game via a penalty in the 24th minute. Eva Nga converted from the spot, after Augustine Kwem won the penalty by drawing a foul from Nathanael Bongo Mbourou.
The remainder of the first half saw plenty of cut and thrust from both teams – with no shortage of physicality, especially in midfield – but ultimately the interval arrived with the score locked at 1-1, even though Maritzburg had a fine chance on 43 minutes when Thabiso Kutumela saw his low effort pushed away by Veli Mothwa.
The Team of Choice were the first to threaten in the second half, with a 52nd minute chance seeing Jose Ali Meza having a clear sight of goal, but he put his shot straight into the arms of a grateful Mothwa.
Chippa earned themselves a second penalty in the 58th minute when Eva Nga just managed to beat Jethren Barr to a ball in the 18-yard area and won a spot kick off the goalkeeper. The Cameroonian dusted himself off and converted from 12 yards again to make it 2-1 just before the hour mark.
Maritzburg responded with three changes, as Judas Moseamedi, Sibusiso Hlubi and Tyroane Sandows came off the bench in an attempt to change the course of the match. However, it was Chippa substitute Tumiso Mogakwe who made the next major impact.
The winger did great work to put Eva Nga through on goal and the striker completed his hat-trick with a composed low finish into the bottom corner on 66 minutes, putting the Chilli Boys in total control of the clash.
Things went from bad to worse for the visitors when Hlubi was sent off in the 74th minute for a nasty, studs-up challenge on Sizwe Mdlinzo, eliminating any hope they had of making a comeback.
The teams will return to DStv Premiership action later in the month – after the international break – with Maritzburg at home to SuperSport United on November 27, and Chippa hosting Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila two days later.
Chippa United (1) 3 (Eva Nga 24’ pen 59’ pen 66’)
Maritzburg United (1) 1 (Claasen 10’)
Chippa: Mothwa, Damons, Nsabiyumva, Mthethwa, Hanamub, Lebitso, Mahola (Cezu 70’), Mdlinzo, Ramasimong (Maziya 79’), Eva Nga (Sekotlong 79’), Kwem (Mogakwe 55’)
Maritzburg: Barr, Mngonyama (Sanoka 77’), Allie, De Reuck, Morgan, Claasen, Buchanan (Sandows 62’), Bongo Mbourou (Shandu 90+1’), Tlolane (Hlubi 62’), Meza, Kutumela (Moseamedi 62’).© Backpage TXT.
SOURCED FROM THE PSL WEBSITE.
