Kurt Lentjies and Mark Mayambela scored a goal apiece as Chippa United defeated Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) 2-0 in a Nedbank Cup quarterfinal match at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth yesterday.
The Chilli Boys were worthy winners in a fine cup tie and should have won by a greater margin against the NFD side.
Tshakhuma created the first opening of the game, with some neat passing allowing Edward Manqele a chance to turn and get a shot away from the middle of the penalty area, but his low effort was well saved by goalkeeper Mbongeni Mzimela.
As the first half wore on, Chippa took greater control of the proceedings and began to create chances, although their final pass or shot too often lacked the necessary precision to open up their opponent’s defence.
The hosts’ first real effort on goal arrived in the 34th minute, when a loose ball fell kindly for Lentjies. But he only managed to strike his effort straight at TTM goalkeeper Tshepo Ramaele.
Ramaele was called into more significant action in the dying minutes of the first half, showing good positioning and sharp reflexes to keep out powerful shots on target from Boikanyo Komane and Tercious Malepe.
With the match goalless at the break, Chippa made a positive change at the start of the second half by introducing attacker Andile Mbenyane in place of left-back Phetso Maphanga. With more impetus in the final third of the game, it seemed only a matter of when – not if – the Chilli Boys would take the lead.
The goal duly arrived in the 51st minute, with Thabo Rakhale providing a fine cross from the right flank, which picked out Lentjies. The veteran showed great composure to hang in the air and pick his spot with a well-placed header.
TTM had offered little in attack since the opening minutes, but midway through the second half, they put together a fine passing move, which gave Nhlanhla Mgaga a sight of goal, but he was denied by a last-gasp block tackle from Gladwin Shitolo.
Chippa should have killed off the game in the 84th minute, with Komane showing some neat footwork down the left of the penalty area before chipping a cross to the far post – Shitolo got on the end of the ball, but saw his header rebound off the crossbar.
Chippa ended the match with 10 men after Mbenyane was shown a straight red card late in the game for what seemed like a relatively innocuous challenge on Khunadi Nkoana.
Nevertheless, the hosts added a second in injury time when Mayambela turned home a cross from fellow substitute Ruzaigh Gamildien.
- Meanwhile, Golden Arrows claimed a hard-fought 2-1 victory away to NFD side Witbank Spurs at the Puma Rugby Stadium in Witbank to make it through to the quarterfinals
