EAST LONDON, February 6 (ANA) – Chippa United were simply too good for Jomo Cosmos in a 2-1 Absa Premiership victory at the Buffalo City Stadium on Saturday night.
It was the Chilli Boys’ second win in two home games since moving to East London. The crowd was electric throughout the 90 minutes as Dan Malesela’s team played some wonderful football, the visiting team only managing to score via the penalty spot in added time.
The opening two minutes belonged solely to Chippa as they left the Cosmos defenders chasing shadows with some wonderful interplay, the ball finally worked to David Zulu in the box, but his first touch was too heavy, which meant he was barely able to get a shot in on goal.
Buoyed by the capacity crowd, the Chilli Boys were turning it on, but again their finishing let them down as Aristides Bance hurried his volley in the box after having chested a down a cross, his 13th minute effort a few metres wide of goal.
The hosts continued to dominate, Joseph Molangoane getting a 23rd minute opportunity but he miscued his shot from 20-yards out.
A minute later and it should really have been 1-0 to the Eastern Cape team. A breathtaking exchange of passes allowed Chippa to cut right through the heart of the Cosmos defence as Xola Mlambo combined with Bance to release Zulu clean through on goal, but Sherwyn Naicker made a brilliant save.
Chippa had to settle for a 0-0 half-time score despite their dominance, but it took them only three second half minutes to break the deadlock, albeit an own goal as Brice Aka, was under pressure from James Okwuosa, nodded an Eric Chipeta corner kick past Naicker.
For a while it looked as if Jomo Sono’s side were going to get back in to the game as they raised the intensity, with Sibusiso Khumalo not far away from scoring on the hour. But Chippa were to register a second goal, Nkosinathi Mthiyane netting from close range after Zulu had eluded Naicker in a goal-mouth scramble.
It was nearly 3-0 when Naicker lost his cool and directed an attempted clearance straight into Bance’s body, but the Burkina Faso marksman sent his lob just wide of the target.
Cosmos were on the score-sheet in the 91st minute, Luyolo Nomandela converting from the penalty spot after he had been fouled just inside the box.
The home side also received a late penalty after Sipho Mngomezulu handled the ball in his box under pressure from Zulu, the Cosmos defender was sent off, but Thami Sangweni’s 94th minute spot kick was saved by Naicker – African News Agency (ANA).
