Chippa strike late to retain top eight place

Chippa United struck a late equaliser to hold Marumo Gallants 1-1 at the Dr Molemela Stadium on Saturday afternoon and retain their place in the top eight of the Betway Premiership.

Bahlabane Ba Ntwa looked set to seize the initiative in the race for berths in next season’s MTN8 after they led for the better part of 50 minutes thanks to Sekela Sithole, but Seun Ndlovu scored in the 90th minute to help the Chilli Boys stay in eighth place, as they completed their league campaign.

The first shot in anger came from Gallants’ Sekela Sithole, who found space in the penalty area and got away a left-footed effort in the 22nd minute, but he was denied by Chippa goalkeeper Darren Johnson.

Ten minutes later the hosts’ Masindi Nemtajela had a sight of goal from the right side of the penalty area, but he skewed his shot wide of the mark.

The first half looked set to close with the score line blank, though Bahlabane Ba Ntwa were rewarded for being the more cohesive team in attack, as Sithole found the back of the net, after good assist play from Dino Ndlovu, in the 41st minute to see the hosts ahead at the interval.

The Chilli Boys responded with a change at the start of the second half, as Ronaldo Maarman made way for Abraham Mashele.

The Eastern Cape side were able to establish more of a foothold in the game, especially in the final quarter when the likes of Andile Jali, Seun Ndlovu and Asanele Bonani were able to get on the ball.

And they were rewarded in the final minute of regulation time when Ndlovu found the back of the net, after an assist from Thabo Makhele, to salvage a point, take two off the host team, and retain their place in the top eight.

Gallants will complete their Premiership season next Saturday, 24 May, when they visit Magesi FC at the Seshego Stadium.

Marumo Gallants (1) 1 (Sithole 41’)

Chippa United (0) 1 (Ndlovu 90’)

Gallants: Akpeyi, Ncube, Mathiane, Sibiya, Mabotja, Manaka, Sithole (Conde 79’), Mahlatsi (Dhludhlu 64’), Mokobodi, Msendami, Ndlovu (Dion 64’)

Chippa: Johnson, Sithole, Chabalala, Makhele, Madingwane (Bonani 64’), Kwayiba, Khumalo (Jali 70’), Martin, Philander, Matrose (Molaoa 64’), Maarman (Mashele 46’)