Goals from Lerato Manzini and Aristide Bance gave Chippa United a 2-1 Absa Premiership victory over ten-man Polokwane City at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Friday night.

The win takes Chippa to seven points and into the top half of the table while Polokwane remain in the bottom half.

In the early stages of the game Polokwane striker Baptiste Faye got up well to meet a header from a juicy right wing cross, but the ball flew just over the crossbar.

Just after the 10th minute Zimbabwe international goalkeeper George Chigova gave away a set piece and Mark Mayambela had a crack at goal, but the ball cleared the crossbar.

In the 25th minute Mayambela started an attacking move for the home side and found his way at the end of the move too, as he unleashed a shot at goal but was leaning back and skied the effort.

Then just after the half hour mark Polokwane were dealt a major blow when Gert Barens was sent off for a dangerous late lunge on an opponent. Referee Victor Gomes gave him a straight red.

In added time at the end of the first half, Chippa took the lead after Mayambela picked up the ball and made a dangerous run following some loose play by the visitors. Mayambela shot at goal and the keeper saved, but Manzini volleyed home the rebound.

Five minutes into the second half and Chippa went further into the lead as Burkina Faso forward Bance netted with a right footed shot following an assist by Manzini.

Just after the hour mark Polokwane’s experienced midfielder Jabulani Maluleke tried to pull his team back into the contest, but his effort was saved by Daniel Akpeyi in goal.

Akpeyi continued to keep Chippa 2-0 ahead in the game with some good saves in the final ten minutes as Polokwane went in search of a reply. Cole Alexander’s saved attempt at goal was yet another record of Akpeyi’s dominance.

Mayambela should have made it 3-0 in the dying moments but cannot put the ball into the net with just the goalkeeper to beat.

Then Polokwane scored a late consolation goal through Thobani Mncwango.

Chippa United (1) 2 (Manzini 45’ Bance 50’)
Polokwane City (0) 1 (Mncwango 90’)

TEAMS

Chippa: Akpeyi, Okwuosa, Thopola (Macheke 41’), Maleasenya, Chipeta, Sangweni, Bance, Manzine (Cele 52’), Mthiyane (Twala 73’), Mayambela, Sali

Polokwane: Chigova, Barends, Masenamela, Mbonami, Nyadombo, Nene, Jacobs (Shiba 70’), Maluleke, Alexander, Faye (Tema 39’), Tlolane (Mncwango 83’)