Chippa United live up to pre-match hype with impressive win over Free State Stars

23 August 2016 - 23:47 By Mark Gleeson

Rhulani Manzini had the distinction of scoring the first goal of the new Premier Soccer League campaign and got another for good measure as Chippa United overcame Free State Stars 2-1 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Tuesday night. It kept up the long running unbeaten run at home for the ‘Chilli Boyz’ who played a laborious possession game but held the ball away from their opponents for large periods of the game and dominated overall.Chippa‚ who finished sixth in the standings last season‚ took just six minutes to register the first goal of the new campaign with an enterprising move from debutant Thembinkosi Lorch opening up the visitors’ defence and allowing Manzini time to push the ball from his left to right foot and then toe poke it past Johnny Matole in Stars’ goal. Chippa use the ball impressively in the opening exchanges but then a silly error by James Okwuosa‚ their experienced Nigerian international centre back‚ gave away a 16th minute equaliser.The resultant corner was botched by new goalkeeper Zama Dlamini‚ standing in for Olympian Daniel Akpeyi‚ and a second corner then produced a pinball effect with the ball‚ including it bouncing back off the upright‚ before Stars’ new midfielder Charles Kampi hammered home a goal on his debut.Chippa continued to create openings‚ however‚ and they were deservedly back ahead in the 35th minute when Lorch snapped up a poor back pass and successfully set up Manzini yet again to restore the lead. Thokozani Sekotlong had a chance to equalise for Stars just after the break but was too hasty with his effort.Nhlanhla Vilakazi also had a good chance as he missed a back post chance in the 72nd minute and with five minutes left Marc van Heerden cleared off the line from Bokang Tlohne.But for the three chances Stars had it was Chippa who bossed the match and went home deservedly with the thee points.- TMG Digital..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.