Sekhukhune United moved up to ninth on the DStv Premiership table this week, following a 2-0 victory over a 10-man Chippa United outfit at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday evening.
On the back of a tight first 45, it took an early second-half sending off from Chippa United defender Zuku Mdunyelwa for the game to open up for Sekhukhune.
Two quick-fire efforts by Jamie Webber and Vusimuzi Mncube after the 70th minute were enough for Babina Noko to bag maximum points on home soil.
FULL TIME..!!!!
— Sekhukhune United F.C. (@SekhukhuneFc) December 6, 2023
⏰9️⃣0️⃣’+4⃣
Three maximum points at home 👏
Sekhukhune United FC 2⃣-0⃣ @ChippaUnitedFC
🦔🦔🦔#Adibahlabe #DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/aamEp8KFCc
The game got off to a cagey start as both sides looked to gain possession of the ball in the middle of the park.
Justice Chabalala came close to opening the scoring in the first minute after his header went wide of the mark following a corner situation.
However, Sekhukhune United grew into the tie and created a couple of goal-scoring opportunities after the 10-minute mark.
Jamie Webber created Babina Noko’s first opportunity, but his shot from outside of the box was saved by the Chippa goalkeeper.
Stanley Nwabili was called into action soon after Webber’s attempt at goal, and managed to pull off a point-blank save from Tashreeq Morris’s attempt on the edge of the six-yard area.
Sekhukhune continued to see most of the ball as the encounter progressed but failed to make the most of their opportunities going forward.
However, Chippa United saw most of the ball after the half-hour mark and came close to scoring after manufacturing their third corner of the tie.
Nevertheless, Sekhukhune sat tight and ward off the Chilli Boys’ attacking advancements.
As the half came to a close, Sekhukhune struggled to cope with Chippa United’s pressure and often battled to progress the ball up field.
Chippa were dealt a blow soon after the restart after Zuku Mdunyelwa received his second yellow of the match for a bad foul.
Sekhukhune piled on the pressure during this period, with the visiting side struggling to manoeuvre their way out of trouble.
Sekhukhune dominated the ball possession count as the hour-mark approached, while the Chilli Boys found the going tough while being a player down.
Babina Noko found themselves parking on the edge of the Chilli Boys' 18-yard-area with 70 minutes on the clock but lacked the cutting edge in the final third.
Sekhukhune’s pressure paid off in the 71st minute of the match, as Webber managed to score his third goal of the 2023/24 campaign.
Found by Elias Mokwana inside the area, Webber managed to slot the ball away from a tight angle.
The hosts doubled their advantage in the 76th minute as Mncube joined Webber on the scoresheet.
After collecting the ball on the edge of the penalty box, the Sekhukhune number 10 produced a stunning right-footed curling shot that left Nwabili soundly beaten in goal.
Sekhukhune United saw out game to secure their first win over Chippa United in the DStv Premiership.
🥳Congratulations to our Man of The Match
— Sekhukhune United F.C. (@SekhukhuneFc) December 6, 2023
🏆Elias Mokwana
🦔🦔🦔#Adibahlabe #DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/F4etMk9OyT
Sekhukhune United: (0) 2 (Webber 70’, Mncube 76’)
Chippa United: 0
Sekhukhune United: Leaner, Mobbie, Baartman, Cardoso, Mabotja, Webber, Mkhize, Mokwana, Sithole (Mokhele 36’ Masiya 73’), Mncube, Morris (Ohizu 59’)
Chippa United: Nwabili, Modise (Maarman 82’), Chabalala, Pietersen, Mdunyelwa, Mosele, Mqokozo (Malaoa 82’), Mulenga (Francis 57’), Memela (Kammies 56’), Lebitso (Martin 82’), Kambindu