Xolani Mdaki and Mario Booyens © Gallo Images

Rhulani Manzini’s hat-trick helped Chippa United beat SuperSport United 3-0 an Absa Premiership match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Wednesday night.

The victory sees the Chilly Boys climb to the 13th spot on the league table, while Matsatsantsa remain fourth on the table.

The Chilli Boys applied some pressure on the Matsatsantsa defence in the early stages of the match, but the visitors were able to defend very well at the back.

SuperSport pushed forward in numbers in the 15th minute and Chippa goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi had to produce a great save to deny Mandla Masango.

Chippa then upped the tempo towards the half-hour mark as they looked to break the deadlock, but SuperSport were compact at the back.

Ronwen Williams, the SuperSport keeper, had to be alert in the 37th minute and he pulled off a decent save from Chippa midfielder Sandile Zuke’s effort.

SuperSport were able to contain Chippa until the match referee blew the halftime whistle and the score was 0-0 at the interval.

The home side nearly broke the deadlock just seven minutes after the restart, but Williams pulled off a great save to deny Chippa midfielder Zaphaniah Mbokoma.

The South Africa international was the busier of the two goalkeepers as he had to be alert just after the hour-mark and he cleared the ball away from danger.

The Williams was finally beaten in the 70th minute when second-half substitute Rhulani Manzini beat him from the spot-kick to make it 1-0 to Chippa.

Chippa had been awarded a penalty after Keegan Ritchie had fouled Menzi Masuku in the SuperSport box. Ritchie was then red carded.

The Chilli Boys did take advantage of their numerical advantage in the remaining minutes of the match as they pressed Matsatsantsa.

Manzini proved to be Chippa’s hero as the striker grabbed his brace in the 85th minute, before completing his hat-trick in stoppage time and he sealed the home side’s 3-0 win over SuperSport.

Chippa (0) 3 (R.Manzini 70′, 85′, 90′)

SuperSport (0) 0

Chippa: Akpeyi, Chabalala, Mvelase, Thopola, Mako, Zuke, Mdaki (Ngubane 64′), Masuku (86 D.Zulu), Mbenyane, Mbokoma, Mashego (R.Manzini 63′).

SuperSport: Williams, Morton, Tefu Mashamaite, Kekana, Booysen, Ritchie, Modiba, Masango, Mokoena, Lakay (Lakay 72′), Mnyamane (Brockie 72′).

Sourced from the PSL website.