MagRush writer | September 15, 2019
FT: Orlando Pirates 2-1 Chippa United
A second-half brace by Tshegofatso Mabaso [55′, 60′] was enough to see off travellers Chippa United at Orlando stadium yesterday afternoon in Soweto. Chippa upped the ante later in the game and halved the deficit through a 79th minute goal by Lerato Manzini pouncing from a rebound.
At the end of the game the Pirates interim coach Rhulani Mokwena was full of praises on Super Sport post-match interview:
“Orlando Pirates supporters deserve it [victory]; they have been behind the boys. These boys deserve it; they work extremely hard. They are honest boys. When you have players that ready to leave sweat, blood and their skin on the pitch, then you know you have a great future ahead of you”.
Clinton Larsen, Chippa United coach, was quick to point out weaknesses in certain areas of play. He told Super Sport crew they “are lacking depth at the moment in the middlefield of the park”.
Placing more emphasis on missing Diamond Thopolo’s leadership prowess at the back which, according to him, led to the two giveaway goals. It will be good to have Lehlogonolo Masalesa and Thopolo back in two weeks [time], he continued.
FT: Golden Arrows 1-1 Amazulu
The KwaZulu-Natal derby ended in a goal-lean stalemate at Sugar Ray Xulu stadium. Nduduzo Sibiya gave the home side, Arrows, a lead on the 36th minute and Bongi Ntuli [Amazulu] canceled the advantage through a second-half penalty [58′] and brought the visitors a point in a Saturday afternoon clash.
FT: Kaizer Chiefs 0-1 Polokwane City
Chiefs suffered their first defeat of the Absa Premiership season by a single goal at the hands of Polokwane City. The slick midfield maestro Jabulani Maluleke converted from the penalty kick [16′] after flailing Chiefs goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi, fumbled and tripped a goal-bound Polokwane attacker, Charlton Mashumba, inside the box.
Choking with shock, the Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp made a song and dance on Super Sport interview about aerial balls not being “our game”. He said there were “many long balls” which did not allow the game to flow. However, in the second half, they should have leveled matters with many opportunities created and squandered, he said. Not pleased with the outcome, Middendorp went on to say Polokwane used their chance to score and sat back afterwards.
It took an evening at FNB stadium for coach Zlatko Krmpotic (of Polokwane City) to disrupt Chiefs’ good start of the 2019/2020 premier league edition. Nevertheless, Kaizer Chiefs remain on top of the league table though equal on 10 points with Polokwane City on 2nd position, separated by goal-difference.
FT: SuperSport United 2-3 Cape Town City
In a 6-goal thriller, Cape Town City managed to pull a draw away to the high-scoring SuperSport United at Mbombela stadium last night.
Just six minutes into the game, Sipho Mbule drew first blood to put SuperSport’s noses in front. Three minutes later, Thabo Nodada [9′] equalized and Kermit Erasmus’ 18th minute gliding header put the Capetonians in front. A miscue from the last CT City centerback released the prolific Bradley Grobler [23′] who pierced the ball throw the keeper’s legs to make it 2-2 going to a half-time break.
The shining star of the Mpumalanga night was Nodada [54′] who, fresh from injury recovery, edged his team to a 3-2 lead in the second half. From the throw-in McCarthy labeled “I am back at the EPL” football, Thamsanqa Gabuza [64′] chest-trapped a pass and, on a mighty turn, wrapped his weaker (left) foot and whacked the ball into the net to level the scores – ending 3-3.
Benni McCarthy blasted his Cape Town City football troops on the Super Sport post-match interview for a mediocre display when scores of people are burning with desire to play at this level in a beautiful stadium. “We played rubbish… I can’t stand for that,” he lashed out.
Although SuperSport coach Kaitano Tembo was content with sharing the spoils, coach Benni was having none of it; Nodada and Bradley Ralani sterling performances notwithstanding.
Sunday fixtures:
At Thohoyandou stadium Black Leopards will welcome archrivals Baroka in the Absa Premiership encounter this afternoon. Concurrently, Bloemfontein Celtic host Stellenbosch at Dr Molemela stadium. Both matches will start at 15:00.