In what was one of the most eventful games in this week’s list of Betway Premiership fixtures, Sekhukhune United and Chippa United shared the spoils in a fast-paced 1-1 draw at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday night.
Although Sekhukhune were staggered at Chippa taking the lead early on, Babina Noko fought back in the second-half as Keletso Makgalwa netted an important equalizer in the 49th minute. Despite a dominant display all-round, Sekhukhune were unable to pick the right locks after Makgalwa’s effort after the restart.
Chippa United looked lively during the opening stages of the game and pushed Sekhukhune United back into their own quarters. The Chilli Boys pressure paid off as early as the seventh minute as Bienvenu Eva Nga got his name on the scoresheet with a glancing header inside the 18-yard-area.
Babina Noko began seeing more of the ball midway through the first-half but often battled to penetrate the Chippa United defence line. The Chilli Boys on the other hand, appeared to have been content at surrendering the ball with the hope of hitting the home team on the break.
Sekhukhune dominated on the ball en-route to the halftime whistle and carved out a couple of notable goal scoring opportunities in the process. While Chippa struggled to get out of their half, the likes of Vincent Mncube and Keletso Makgalwa kept knocking on the Chilli Boys door.
Sekhukhune commenced the second-half just as they ended the first, on the front foot and posing a serious threat going forward. The home team then levelled matters in the 49th minute after making the most of a free-kick situation on the edge of the Chippa box. With an inswinger played toward goal, Makgalwa guided the ball home with a glancing header toward the far post.
The Eastern Cape outfit were reduced to 10-men shortly before the hour-mark after Sergio Kammies received his second-yellow of the match. With Chippa playing against the cosh, Sekhukhune kept pushing for their second goal.
Despite having a numerical advantage, Chippa found themselves through on goal on a couple of occasions but were met with aggressive defending by the home team. Nonetheless, the game fizzled out in a 1-1 draw at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Sekhukhune United: (0) 1 (Makgalwa 49’)
Chippa United: (1) 1 (Eva Nga 7’)
Sekhukhune United: Sangare, Ngcobo, Tshibwabwa, Mkhabela, Monare, Makgalwa, Mncube (Ashby 62’), Mkhize, Langa (Letsema 92’), Boyeli, Mntambo (Ohizu 69’)
Chippa United: Nwabali, Kammies, Ntsabo, Makhele, Chabalala, Baloni (Dlala 91’), Konqobe (Mqokozo 91’), Eva Nga (Malaoa 69’), Sithole (Majogoro 46’), Kwayiba, Madingwana (Martin 46’)