Kaizer Chiefs may regret not being able to take advantage of a 10-man Chippa United team after Khama Billiat scored an early goal.
KHAMA Billiat’s first-half strike guided Absa Premiership leaders Kaizer Chiefs to a 1-0 win over nine-man Chippa United at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Itumeleng Khune headlined Chiefs’ line-up after their loss to Bidvest Wits, with Lebogang Manyama and Willard Katsande also back in action.
Chiefs had an excellent opportunity to take the lead in the third minute, but Khama Billiat, with a clear sight on goal, shot tamely at Chippa goalkeeper Veli Mothwa.
Billiat made amends six minutes later sliding the ball into the near corner amidst a defensive scramble.
Chippa could’ve gone level in time added on, but a goal-line clearance denied Gamildien a clear goal with Khune in no man’s land.
No changes from the bench happened on either side during the halftime, but Chippa were reduced to 10 players on 67 minutes when Tercious Malepe earned a straight red card for bringing down Billiat from outside the area.
Ernst Middendorp’s side held on and celebrated their return to winning ways after the final whistle.
Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns kept their Absa Premiership title hopes alive with a 3-0 victory over Polokwane City, at Loftus Versveld Stadium also on Wednesday evening.
Polokwane put up a fight, but Sundowns finally broke the deadlock six minutes before the break as Anele Ngcongca slotted home. It was then Themba Zwane’s turn to give the Brazilians a two-goal lead on the stroke of halftime slotting his shot into the bottom corner.
The game started opening up in the closing phase, with Sundowns eager to get more goals and close the goal-difference gap between them and Chiefs, and it was substitute Keletso Makgalwa who snatched the third goal for the Brazilians deep in stoppage time.
Meanwhile, a ruthless SuperSport United climbed to third spot in the Absa Premiership following a come-from-behind 4-1 victory over Baroka FC at Bidvest Stadium, and Orlando Pirates, for their part, scored a 1-0 win over Maritzburg United at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium.
