JOHANNESBURG, Jan 20, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – A Tebogo Tlolane thunderbolt set up
Chippa United for a 2-0 home victory over Maritzburg United on Saturday in a
South African Premiership relegation battle.
Tlolane struck after 53 minutes in Port Elizabeth, rifling a loose ball
past Ghana goalkeeper Richard Ofori from outside the box.
Chippa doubled their lead nine minutes later when a looping header from
Andile Mbenyane after a corner took a deflection over Ofori into the far
corner of the net.
A fifth consecutive defeat left Maritzburg stranded at the bottom of the
table, four points behind second-last Chippa.
It was a winning debut for Clinton Larsen, the fourth coach of Chippa this
season with one of his predecessors lasting just three matches.
“There is far too much quality in this squad for them to be battling
against relegation,” said the new boss.
Turk Muhsin Ertugral, who has lost all four matches since replacing sacked
Fadlu Davids at Maritzburg, gave a bleak assessment of a side with one win in
18 league games.
“We offered absolutely nothing. What upset me most was the lack of desire.
Without fighting spirt, we will continue to battle.”
Zambian Mwape Musonda equalised four minutes from time to earn resurgent
Black Leopards a 1-1 home draw with Golden Arrows in northeastern town
Thohoyandou.
Lerato Lamola had put Durban-based Arrows ahead early in the second half
and the draw stretched to three matches the unbeaten run since Steve Komphela
became coach.
After looking likely relegation candidates a couple of months ago, Leopards
have gone five matches without losing with Malta-born coach Dylan Kerr at the
helm.
Premiership leaders Bidvest Wits can increase their advantage over second-
place Orlando Pirates to five points Sunday if they win away to sixth-place
Polokwane City.