Chilli Boys too hot for Leopards
Chippa United recorded a much needed three points when they defeated Black Leopards 3-1 at the Philippi Stadium on Sunday afternoon in an Absa Premiership match.
Masibusane Zongo, Welcome Qalanto and Petrus Ngebo each found the back of the net as their side moved from the foot of the table into 14th position. David Zulu scored for Leopards to give them a glimmer of hope which was not to be realised.
Zongo had an opportunity from outside the box in the seventh minute - he had all the time and space in the world but he could not keep his shot down as he lifted his effort over the target.
In the 16th minute Joshua Obaje beat the offside trap and was one-on-one with the keeper coming in from the right flank, but he hit his shot wide across the face of goal.
United took the lead in the 37th minute through a fantastic goal by winger Zongo.
The former Bidvest Wits and SuperSport United player beat off his marker before sending a curling left footed shot from the right flank which flummoxed Black Leopards keeper Azwidini Maphaha as he watched it fly in at the far post.
The home side did not take their feet off the peddle as they pressured the Limpopo side with attacks and Lidoda Duvha once again succumbed six minutes after they had first conceded.
Brent Carelse, who was on the edge of the box, sent in a cross which Qalanto headed home.
Chippa could have made it 3-0 in the 51st minute after they were denied twice by the Leopards keeper.
Firstly Zongo cut inside from the right channel and unleashed a shot which the keeper parried into the path of Carelse, but he was also denied at close range.
Leopards reduced the deficit in the 69th minute when Raymond Monama and Obaje spilt open the Chippa defence only for Zulu to tap into an empty net at the far end.
The Chilli Boys put the result beyond doubt two minutes before the final whistle when William Thwala picked out Petrus Ngebo in the box and the former Bloemfontein Celtic striker headed home from six-yards out with a deft header.
Chippa United (2) 3 (Zongo 37’, Qalanto 43’, Ngebo 88’)
Black Leopards (0) 1 (Zulu 69’)
Chippa: Kassaly, Gilbert, Tomanyane, Mabizela, Okwuosa, Ntombayithethi, Twala, Sali, Qalanto (Ngebo 75’), Carelse, Zongo (Ntshingila 66’)
Leopards: Maphaha, Dzaga, Khoza, Nyirenda, Ntshingila, Bobe, Mungana, Mabunda, Miya (Monama 46’), Obaje, Mandlazi (Zulu 58’)
