Lehlohonolo Masalesa of Chippa United and Limbikani Mzava of Highlands Park during the Absa Premiership between Chippa United and Highlands Park at Orlando Stadium on August 18, 2020 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images)
Chippa United 0-0 Highlands Park: PSL highlights and results
Chippa United and Highlands Park remain in 12th and eighth places respectively after playing to a goalless draw in their PSL match at Orlando Stadium.
Lehlohonolo Masalesa of Chippa United and Limbikani Mzava of Highlands Park during the Absa Premiership between Chippa United and Highlands Park at Orlando Stadium on August 18, 2020 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images)
Highlands Park and Chippa United huffed and puffed but couldn’t break the deadlock and drew 0-0 in a PSL match at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday 18 August.
Chippa United came into their match against Highlands Park at Orlando Stadium hoping to get themselves into the battle for a top-eight finish and move away from the dreaded drop zone.
The Chilliboys started the match in 12th place on the log with 26 points six behind the Lions of the North who occupied eighth at kick off.
The Lehlohonolo Seema era at Chippa United got off to a losing start last Friday when they went down 1-0 to Cape Town City.
Highlands Park restarted their season with a creditable 1-1 draw against PSL title contenders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Chippa United 0-0 Highlands Park: Match report
The first half passed without significant goalmouth action as the two sides felt one another out and ended deadlocked at 0-0.
At the break Chippa coach Seema made an attacking change putting striker Thabiso Lebitso on in place of defender Phetso Maphanga.
Highlands Park came out for the second half with a renewed sense of urgency but Reneilwe Letsholonyane’s enthusiasm spilt over, and he was booked for a bad challenge in the opening minute of the second half.
Fifteen minutes later Chippa midfielder Meshack Maphungule when into the book for a foul.
Immediately after the whistle and booking, Highlands Park coach Owen Da Gama made a double change withdrawing the cautioned Letsholonyane and Luckyboy Mokoena and throwing on the fresh legs of Mlungisi Mbujana and Sabelo Nyembe to try and break a midfield deadlock.
Minutes later Seema made a double change to his midfield taking off the cautioned Maphungule and Xolani Maholo and bringing on Kurt Lentjies and Mududuzi Sibeko.
The reinforcements did little to spark any action in the final third and the match remained scoreless heading into the final ten minutes.
Da Gama tinkered with his midfield again late in the game bringing on veteran Musa Nyatama for Ryan Rae.
Seema threw attacking midfielder Thokozani Sekotlong into the fray with a handful of minutes left.
A tired challenge from Mokete Mogaila earned the Highlands Park midfielder a place in the referee’s book.
It was to be a day of frustration for both sides as the contest ended in 0-0 draw. Chippa United and Highlands Park remain in 12th and eighth places respectively.
Chippa United Squad
Starting XI: 34 Mothwa, 17. Damons, 2. Masalesa, 12. Malepe, 13. Maphangule, 24. Thopola, 47. Nsabiyumva, 33. Mahola, 21. Maphanga, 4. Gamildien, 15. Kwem.
Subs: 1. Mazibuko, 3. Mthethwa, 7. Mbenyane, 26. Sekotlong, 44. Komane, 14. E.Moyo, 32. Lenjties
Highlands Park squad
Starting XI: 16. Kapini, 10. Mokoena, 24. Rae, 5. Fransman, 20. Ramoraka, 2. Mzava, 19. Munyai, 14. Mvala, 38. Shalulile, 12. Mogaila, 6. Letsholonyane.
Subs: 1. Heugh, 8. Mbunjana, 34. Motsepe, 4. Makhaula, 18. Nyatama, 23. Msimango, 11. Nyembe, 27. Jooste, 21. Mbhele.
