Chippa United extended their winless run in the DStv Premiership to six matches after playing to a 1-1 draw against Cape Town City on Saturday evening.
DStv Premiership
Result: Chippa United 1-1 Cape Town City
Date: 14 January 2023
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Citizens' new signing Lorenzo Gordinho finally made his debut in the line-up alongside recalls for Marc Van Heerden and Mpho Makola. Chippa, meanwhile, handed Khanyisile Mayo, the younger brother of City's Khanyisa, his first start.
The got off to a lively start, with the visitors increasing their speed in the last third and therefore rushing their promising moves.
However, Eric Tinkler's charges eventually settled to their passing rhythm and finally went ahead just before the half-hour mark after Justice Chabalala deflected Fidele Ambina's shot in the box into his own net.
Chippa were not finding their footing in the last third and five minutes before the half-time break Morgan Mammila changed the personnel upfront with a double substitution, as Etiosa Ighodaro and Siphelele Luthuli entered the fray.
The changes had the desired effect for the Chilli Boys, as Ighodaro found the equaliser on the stroke of half-time with a header from Azola Ntsabo's cross.
The second stanza did not produce too much goal-mouth action and Tinkler reacted by bringing speed upfront just after the hour-mark, as Darwin Gonzalez replaced Juan Zapata.
Gonzalez had good chance a couple of minutes later for the visitors as his shot in the box was smothered by goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua after he was teed up by Mani.
City gained momentum in the closing stages, especially after Mduduzi Mdantsane and Kajally Drammeh entered the field for fresh legs in their attack.
Gonzalez came close to restoring the lead for the Citizens nine minutes before time after a good piece of attack but his shot was cleared off the line by Chabalala.
The Chilli Boys were not lying down and sensed opportunities to grab maximum points on transitions in the dying minutes as Sergio Kammies drew a reflex save from shot-stopper Darren Keet from a close-range shot.
However, neither side could find clear-cut chances in stoppage time, with the Citizens going closest with Thamsanqa Mkhize's deflected volley as the encounter ended all square.
Here's how they lined up:
Chippa United: 1. Kazapua, 2. Mndunyelwa, 3. Ntsabo, 5. Pietersen, 6. Poggenpoel, 7. Mbenyane, 9. Appollis, 11. Mayo, 14. Mkhize, 25. Kammies, 33. Chabalala
Subs: 32. Nwabali, 4. Banda, 36. Luthuli, 8. Mini, 24. Konqobe, 24. Matrose, 37. Ighodaro, 29. Kambindu, 17. Maarman
Cape Town City: 16. Keet, 2. Mkhize, 25. Gordinho, 12. Fielies, 13. Van Heerden, 3. Mokeke, 5. Ambina, 8. Makola, 17. Zapata, 26. Nodada, 21. Mani
Subs: 31. Mpandle, 24. Lakay, 23. Rhodes, 7. Kajally, 10. Mdantsane, 9. Bender, 41. Daniels, 9. Gonzalez, 27. Goedeman
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
