There were major upsets in the National First Division as the top three outfits, Chippa United, Milano United and Vasco da Gama all dropped vital points to lower opposition.
In fact, both the Chilli Boys and Eezy my Kinnes suffered serious blows to their championship aspirations after going down 2-0 and 1-0 to FC Cape Town and Jomo Cosmos respectively.
But while Vasco’s goalless draw with relegation threatened Blackburn Rovers moves them up to second spot, on the same points as Chippa (31), fifth placed Black Leopards remain eight adrift following a shock 5-2 hammering at the hands of African Warriors.
At Parow Park, the African Beasts surprised Chippa with an early Sifiso Thomo header but Ian Palmer’s side was unlucky not to have equalised around the tenth minute when Siyabulela Shai’s rasping shot was expertly turned away for a corner by goalkeeper Edward More.
In the second period Jason Dickson sealed the match which gives Duncan Lechesa’s side a lot more breathing space in their effort to escape the drop.
Milano’s poor form continued at Makhulong where Jomo Cosmos, thanks to a goal by their captain, Lehlohonolo Nonyane, managed their second win in a row.
But crisis-hit Roses United’s slump continued. They fell victim to a well-oiled United FC as new coach Leslie Notsi also picked up his second three-point haul on the trot.
The 3-0 score line was not a true reflection of the domination his side had. During the first half, United twice hit the bar and were also awarded ten corner kicks before goals by Linda Shiba (2) and Mbulelo Wambi confirmed the inevitable.
With this victory United (24 points) have leapfrogged Leopards into fourth spot while Warriors, for whom Vincent Pule and Bonginkosi Nxumalo both netted braces with a single strike from Thamsanqa Ngema, have 21, the same as Cosmos.
There were no goals at the Puma Rugby Stadium where Witbank Spurs entertained Sivutsa Stars.
NFD scores:
Blackburn Rovers 0 Vasco da Gama 0
FC Cape Town 2 Chippa United 0
United FC 3 Roses United 0
Jomo Cosmos 1 Milano United 0
African Warriors 5 Black Leopards 2
Witbank Spurs 0 Sivutsa Stars 0
