Chippa beat SuperSport to continue hot streak

Chippa United continue their climb up the Absa Premiership standings following a 1-0 win over SuperSport United at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday evening.

Xolani Mahola scored the decisive goal for the Chilli Boys who move up to ninth place on the log standings, having now kept five clean sheets in a row. Defeat leaves SuperSport in third, 10 points behind league leaders Kaizer Chiefs.

It was all Chippa in the opening exchanges with William Twala continuing his good run of form. The former Kaizer Chiefs winger forced Ronwen Williams into a stunning save with two minutes on the clock, while the shot-stopper had to be on his toes to keep Twala's dipping free-kick from bulging the back of the net soon after.

The two continued their battle with Williams well positioned on the half-hour mark to keep out Twala's snap shot from close range.

Chippa finally found the breakthrough, and deservedly so, in the 42nd minute. Mahola played a neat one-two with Meshack Maphangule before skipping past Clayton Daniels and passing the ball into the back of the net via the inside of the post.

SuperSport struggled to break down the hosts and resorted to shots from long range throughout the second half, with the best of the lot falling to Dean Furman in the 70th minute, but he was denied by an inspired Veli Mothwa in the Chippa goal.

Twala came close to doubling the hosts' lead in the 75th minute, but his shot cannoned off the woodwork and in doing so left Matsatsantsa with a chance to conjure a late point.

SuperSport duly pushed forward in the closing stages, but Chippa were not willing to let go of their lead and when Thabo Mnyamane looked sure to score, Frédéric Nsabiyumva put his body on the line to earn the Chilli Boys all three points.

Chippa United (1) 1 (Mahola 42')

SuperSport United (0) 0

Chippa United: Mothwa; Modisane, Damons, K.Moyo, Malepe, Maphangule (Nsabiyumva 85'), Mahola, Komane, Rakhale, Twala, Kwem.

SuperSport United: Williams; Bhasera (Lunga 67'), Daniels, Kekana, Nhlapo, Furman, Mokoena (Mnyamane 81'), Mbule (Webber 46'), Mahachi, Grobler, Gabuza.