Chippa United fought back from two goals down to hold Swallows FC 2-2 in a DStv Premiership clash at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The result sees the Birds extend their winless run to eight matches in the league and remain in fifth place on the standings, while the Chilli Boys have now gone seven games without a victory and continue to hover just above relegation trouble in 13th.
Swallows came flying out of the blocks and found themselves 2-0 up within the opening quarter hour. The first goal arrived on eight minutes, with Kgaogelo Sekgota rounding off a swift attacking move with a crisp finish past Chippa goalkeeper Ayanda Mtshali.
Ruzaigh Gamildien added a second in the 11th minute, capitalising on some poor defensive organisation from the hosts as he turned home an assist from Zaphaniah Mbokoma – giving the Birds a stranglehold on the game before Chippa had even found their footing.
Chippa slowly established themselves in the game and began to create half chances for the likes of Mokhele Maloisane, Sizwe Mdlinzo and Kurt Lentjies, but none were able to trouble Virgil Vries in the Swallows goal.
In fact, the Soweto side should have gone into the break with a three-goal lead, as Mbokoma blew a one-on-one chance with the Chilli Boys ‘keeper late in the half, somehow blazing over the target when it seemed easier to score.
Chippa finally had some joy in attack early in the second half, with a penalty earned by Peter Maloisane. Anthony Laffor took on the spot kick and made it 2-1 in the 50th minute, giving the Eastern Cape side a sniff of a comeback.
And the Chilli Boys duly brought themselves back on level terms on the hour mark, with substitute Augustine Kwem showing quick reactions to latch onto a rebound from the woodwork, stemming from Mdlinzo’s original effort, and shooting past Vries for 2-2.
The Birds were soon reduced to 10 men, with Gamildien shown a straight red card by Olani Kwinda for verbally abusing the referee’s assistant.
Chippa looked to make the most of their numerical advantage and pushed for a winning goal in the final quarter, but the Birds bravely continued to offer a threat on the counter attack as the teams traded chances in the remaining minutes.
Ultimately the spoils were shared, with the full-time score 2-2. The teams will return to DStv Premiership action in early April, with Chippa away to Maritzburg United and Swallows at home to Golden Arrows.
Chippa United (0) 2 (Laffor 50’ pen, Kwem 60’)
Swallows FC (2) 2 (Sekgota 8’, Gamildien 11’)
Chippa: Mtshali, Mobbie, Mthethwa, Nsabiyumva, Hanamub, P. Maloisane, Konqobe (Cezu 78’), Mdlinzo, M. Maloisane (Lebitso 78’), Lentjies (Kwem 48’), Laffor
Swallows: Vries, Mere, Letlabika, Ngcobo, Hlanti, Mokoena (Senwamadi 85’), Mthethwa (Nyatama 45+1’), Mahlatsi (Mzwakali 74’), Mbokoma (Sait 74’), Sekgota, Gamildien.© Backpage TXT.
SOURCED FROM THE PSL WEBSITE.
