Sekhukhune United defeated Chippa United 3-1 at the Buffalo City Stadium on Wednesday afternoon to rise to fourth place on the Betway Premiership log.
Babina Noko claimed P4 on goal difference ahead of AmaZulu FC (who have a game in hand against derby rivals Golden Arrows this evening), thanks to first-half strikes from Tshepo Mashiloane, Olerato Mandi and Bright Ndlovu.
As for the Chilli Boys, this second successive league defeat leaves them in 13th place – just three points above the relegation playoff berth. And they could drop a further place depending on bottom-of-the-log Marumo Gallants’ result against TS Galaxy this evening.
This match was originally scheduled to be played on Tuesday evening, but was abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch.
On Wednesday, Sekhukhune needed just over five minutes to claim the lead, as Daniel Cardoso helped a corner from the left on its way for Tshepo Mashiloane to turn home at the far post for 1-0.
And Mashiloane then turned provider shortly thereafter, clipping a cross from the right by-line to find Olerato Mandi, who easily finished off with his head to make it 2-0 in the 10th minute.
The visitors’ fast start belied the awful state of the pitch, which was churned up, muddy and slow, making it incredibly difficult for both teams to play conventional attacking football.
Nonetheless, Sekhukhune appeared to adapt to the conditions much better and continued to create chances through the first half, while Chippa opted for a change as early as the half-hour mark by throwing on striker Bienvenu Eva Nga in an attempt to shake things up.
Yet it was Babina Noko who netted a third time, in the 37th minute, when Bright Ndlovu scored a goal-of-the-season contender. Latching onto a loose, dropping ball in the penalty area, Ndlovu executed an overhead kick that flashed past goalkeeper Dumisani Msibi’s left hand for 3-0.
The Chilli Boys made a triple change at the start of the second half, sending on Justice Figuareido, Seun Ndlovu and Azola Tshobeni.
They immediately upped their game in attack and soon pulled a goal back via Azola Matrose, who scored a superb solo strike which saw him dribble into space on the right of the penalty area, before opening his body and whipping home a left-footed effort from a tight angle in the 57th minute.
Sekhukhune made a triple change of their own on the hour mark, and one of the substitutes, Ellis Rammala, struck the crossbar with a fine effort a few minutes after coming on.
Chippa then took control of the match against Sekhukhune’s deep-lying defence, but struggled to create clear-cut chances, leaving the visitors to secure their 11th league win of the campaign.
The teams will be back in Premiership action this coming weekend, with Chippa away to TS Galaxy on Saturday 9 May, while Sekhukhune will host Kaizer Chiefs the following day.
Chippa United (0) 1 (Matrose 57’)
Sekhukhune United (3) 3 (Mashiloane 6’, Mandi 10’, Ndlovu 38’)
Chippa United: Msibi, Madingwane (Eva Nga 31’), Majadibodu (Tshobeni 46’), Mobara, Modise, Kammies, Seabi (Ntsundwana 81’), Mosele (Ndlovu 46’), Sam (Figuareido 46’), Matrose, Kwayiba
Sekhukhune United: Nsabata, Mashiloane, Yamba, Cardoso, Letlapa, Mkhize, Khiba (Coetzee 60’), Nku (Mncube 60’), Mandi (Mojela 75’), Mokoane (Rammala 60’), Ndlovu (Mokgalaka 76’)