Royal AM climbed to third spot on the DStv Premiership table after rallying back from two goals down to rescue a point against relegation-threatened Chippa United on Saturday afternoon.
DStv Premiership
Result: Chippa United 2-2 Royal AM
Date: 19 February 2022
Venue: Sisa Dukashe Stadium
The Chilli Boys gave new signing Ronald Pfumbidzai his debut, alongside recalls for goalkeeper Ayanda Mtshali, Thokozani Sekotlong and Ramasimong Maloisane while Royal were unchanged.
The visitors should have been ahead within the first minute after Tebogo Potsane went through on goal past Mtshali from Letsoalo's pass but he missed an open net wide with a low strike.
Royal continued to miss clear chances and they were punished in the 19th minute after Veluyeke Zulu broke the deadlock for Chippa with a close-range finish after a square pass by Siphelele Luthuli from a counter-attack.
The Chilli Boys quickly doubled their lead four minutes later from another counter-attack after Bienvenu Eva Nga went through on goal and unselfishly layed a square pass to Luthuli, who fired his strike into the roof of the net.
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However, John Maduka's charges pulled a goal back on the half-hour mark with a simple finish into an open net after a howler by Mtshali, who spilled a long cross in the box.
Thwihli Thwahla enjoyed a bright start to the second stanza after exchanging chances with the Chilli Boys, who had spaces to exploit on counter-attacks.
Royal AM made a double attacking change in the last 20 minutes, as Mokete Mogaila replaced Zukile Mkhize and Ndumiso Mabena came on for Siphesihle Mkhize.
As the game opened up, Eva Nga almost restored a two-goal cushion for Chippa two minutes later after going through in the box but his low strike across goal missed the bottom corner by a whisker and Zulu made a goal-line clearance at the other end just after that.
The Chilli Boys were dangerous on transitions but Thwihli Thwahla got the equaliser in the last minute courtesy of a side-footed volley by Macuphu after a cross by Mfundo Thikazi
Here's how they started:
Chippa: 16. Mtshali, 24. Zulu, 20. Mdlinzo, 35. Pfumbidzai, 4. Hanamub, 5. Petersen, 17. Sekotlong, 36. Luthuli, 8. Maloisane, 9. Eva Nga, 28. Lebitso.
Subs: 1. Kazapua, 26. Sangare, 11. Ngele, 45. Campher, 18. Makobela, 2. Mdunyelwa, 6. Seabi, 34. Mbenyane, 10. Mokhele.
Royal AM: 16. Nyame, 3. Nascimento, 14. Matlaba, 13. Manganyi, 2. Msomi, 8. Phalane, 12. Mahlasela, 11. Potsane, 20. Mkhize, 9. Macuphu, 21. Letsoalo.
Subs: 25. Mpoto, 28. Mabuza, 18. Mashikinya, 42. Ncobeni, 17. Mogaila, 10. Mabena, 34. Thikazi, 30. Monamodi, 50. Masuku
