Chippa, Polokwane share the spoils

Abbubaker Mobara © Backpagepix

Chippa United and Polokwane City shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw in their Betway Premiership clash at the Buffalo City Stadium on Saturday evening.

The Chilli Boys led late in the first half via Malebogo Modise, but a penalty just a few minutes before the end of regulation time from Ndamulelo Mphangule allowed Rise and Shine to secure an away draw.

The result saw Chippa remain in 13th place, with a six-point buffer to the relegation playoff zone, while Polokwane are seventh, with a five-point buffer to the bottom half of the table.

Polokwane created the early running and came close to an opening goal in the sixth minute, with Thabelo Tshikweta heading on target from Tholo Matuludi’s cross, but Chippa goalkeeper Dumisani Msibi tipped the ball over the crossbar.

Chippa gradually found their rhythm in attack and took control of the game, creating numerous promising openings before claiming the lead a couple of minutes before the end of regulation time in the first half.

Sinoxolo Kwayiba teed up Malebogo Modise from the left by-line and the fullback just managed to beat a lunging defender to the ball, stabbing an effort beyond the left hand of goalkeeper Lindokuhle Mathebula for a 1-0 lead at the break.

The Chilli Boys created the first clear chance of the second half, with Justice Figuareido finding space behind the defence in the 51st minute, but his low drive on target was well saved by Mathebula.

Rise and Shine then took control of the game and created a string of scoring chances, though they were repeatedly denied by their own poor execution in either the final pass or effort on goal.

One such example arrived with a quarter hour of regulation time remaining, as Manuel Kambala had a virtually unguarded goal to aim for, but only found the crossbar with a looping header.

On 84 minutes the visitors were denied by a brilliant save from Msibi, who would have seen Bonginkosi Dlamini’s drive late through a crowded penalty area but still reacted sharply to his left.

However, the Limpopo side were finally rewarded in the 86th minute when Ndamulelo Maphangule coolly converted from a penalty for 1-1. The spot kick was awarded after Matuludi was clumsily tripped up by Boy Madingwane.

Polokwane will be back in Premiership next weekend, hosting Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday evening, while Chippa’s next league assignment is away to AmaZulu FC on April 25.

Chippa United (1) 1 (Modise 43’)

Polokwane City (0) 1 (Maphangule 86’ pen)

Chippa: Msibi, Madingwana, Majadibodu, Mobara, Modise, Kammies, Mosele, Seabi, Figuareido (X. Sithole 81’), Matrose (Konqobe 63’), Kwayiba

Polokwane: Mathebula, Matuludi, Ramaja, Nikani, Nkwee, Dlamini, Kambala, Maphangule, Mutudza (Marema 68’), Ramabu (Sebone 78’), Tshikweta (Tshabalala 57’)

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