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Cape Town - Chippa United were made to fight hard for their first win in top flight soccer as they saw off Bloemfontein Celtic 2-1 at Athlone Stadium.
The Cape side had more of the play early and had a couple of chances as Cole Alexander fired over from 30-yards and then Petrus Ngebo fired into the side-netting from a tight angle.
The Free State side, however, always looked a threat on the counter and were close to scoring in the 15th minute with a speedy break up the field, but the move came to nothing as Ruzaigh Gamildien failed to take the correct option.
The Chilli Boys took the lead in the 30th minute via the long ball route as Alexander’s 45-yard cross was flicked on and into the back of the net by Ngebo.
Phunya Sele Sele were the stronger side of the closing stages of the first half, but could not create any clear cut chances on goal.
But after the break the Cippa were back on top with a couple of quick chances, with Ngebo off target from 16-yards out.
And their lead was doubled nine minutes after the restart as Diego Brown went on a scything solo run which ended in a sublime finish with his right foot which left Patrick Tignyemb rooted to the spot.
Both sides were then guilty of missing easy chances. Firstly it was Ngebo who skied the ball over the bar from well inside box, before Lerato Manzini did the same thing at the other end.
Celtic kept on coming at the home side and were rewarded for their efforts when Lennox Bacela drew Maxwell Khubeka into a foul in the box.
Bacela converted from the spot himself to cut the deficit in half.
This signalled an intense period of pressure from Phunya Sele Sele as they attacked in waves upon the home goal as the rain poured down relentlessly.
Somehow, though, the Cape side managed to keep the ball out the net as they held on heroically to take home the three points.
The Cape side had more of the play early and had a couple of chances as Cole Alexander fired over from 30-yards and then Petrus Ngebo fired into the side-netting from a tight angle.
The Free State side, however, always looked a threat on the counter and were close to scoring in the 15th minute with a speedy break up the field, but the move came to nothing as Ruzaigh Gamildien failed to take the correct option.
The Chilli Boys took the lead in the 30th minute via the long ball route as Alexander’s 45-yard cross was flicked on and into the back of the net by Ngebo.
Phunya Sele Sele were the stronger side of the closing stages of the first half, but could not create any clear cut chances on goal.
But after the break the Cippa were back on top with a couple of quick chances, with Ngebo off target from 16-yards out.
And their lead was doubled nine minutes after the restart as Diego Brown went on a scything solo run which ended in a sublime finish with his right foot which left Patrick Tignyemb rooted to the spot.
Both sides were then guilty of missing easy chances. Firstly it was Ngebo who skied the ball over the bar from well inside box, before Lerato Manzini did the same thing at the other end.
Celtic kept on coming at the home side and were rewarded for their efforts when Lennox Bacela drew Maxwell Khubeka into a foul in the box.
Bacela converted from the spot himself to cut the deficit in half.
This signalled an intense period of pressure from Phunya Sele Sele as they attacked in waves upon the home goal as the rain poured down relentlessly.
Somehow, though, the Cape side managed to keep the ball out the net as they held on heroically to take home the three points.
