SuperSport United and Chippa United played to a 1-1 stalemate in an Absa Premiership clash at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Tuesday evening.

A largely frustrating encounter ending all square as Matsatsantsa squandered a chance to climb into second spot on the log standings.

Siyabonga Nhlapo opened the scoring for the hosts before Moeketsi Sekola's equalizer just short of the break. Neither team forced either goalkeeper into action in the second as the two teams shared the spoils.

The first shot in anger fell to Kingston Nkhatha in the 10th minute, but the burly forward failed to hit the target having ghosted in behind the Chilli Boys defensive line.

Eric Tinkler rested several of his regular starters with one eye on their CAF Confederations Cup second-leg clash in Zambia this coming weekend, and it showed with the hosts lacking any sort of rhythm.

Set-pieces, though, have always been a real strength of SuperSport's and Morgan Gould went within inches of opening the scoring in the 25th minute. The centre-back guiding his glancing header from a corner-kick narrowly wide.

Matsatsantsa duly opened the scoring three minutes later. That man Gould's long throw-in causing havoc in the Chippa penalty area with Nhlapo first to react, hammering home on the volley for his first goal in South Africa's top-flight.

SuperSport were hardly troubled at the opposite end of the pitch, but Chippa made good on their first chance to level matters on the cusp of halftime. Sekola's powerful effort deflecting off Dean Furman and into the back of the net, 1-1 at the break.

Chances were few and far between in the second stanza with Chippa keeping things tight at the back.

Brimming with confidence after bagging his maiden goal in Matsatsantsa colours, Nhalpo conjured the first clear-cut chance of the half with his looping effort in the 72nd minute sailing just over Daniel Akpeyi's woodwork.

Bradely Grobler - on for Jeremy Brockie - then guided his rasping effort past the right-hand post as the hosts upped the tempo in the closing exchanges. But, it was not to be for Eric Tinkler's troops as Chippa leave the country's capital with a point.

The result moves SuperSport up to 5th while Chippa climb into 10th spot on the log standings.

SuperSport United (1) 1 (Nhlapo 28')

SuperSport United: Williams; Nhlapo, Gould, Mashamaite, Boateng - Mnyamane, Mbule, Furman, Myeni (Phala 51') - Brockie (Grobler 72'), Nkhatha (Letsholonyane 65')

Chippa United: Akpeyi; Macheke, Okwusa, Konqobe, Maphanga - Mvelase (Mbokoma 71'), Zuke, Mabaso (Mdlinzo 55'), Mako - Lentjies (Masuku 81') - Sekola