Marumo Gallants edge Chippa United in five-goal DStv Premiership thriller

East London - Marumo Gallants claimed a thrilling 3-2 win over Chippa United in a DStv Premiership clash played at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The topsy-turvy game in Mdantsane featured braces from Bienvenu Eva Nga and Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo for the Chilli Boys and Bahlabane ba Ntwa respectively. However, the match-winning goal came from the visitors’ Joseph Molangoane late in the match to see his team break a four-game winless streak in the league and move seven points clear of the relegation zone.

The Eastern Cape hosts, meanwhile, are still searching for a first home win of the season and are just two points above the danger zone. If results elsewhere on Saturday go against them, they could be bottom of the log by the end of Saturday evening.

Chippa enjoyed early dominance in terms of possession and half-chances, but it was Marumo who soon settled into a good rhythm and nearly claimed the lead midway through the first half.

A free-kick delivery from Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo picked out the head of Mpho Mvelse, who saw his effort flash beyond Chippa goalkeeper Loydt Kazapua but rebound off the upright.

Ndlondlo himself then put Gallants ahead on the 30-minute mark. The attacker picked up a fine pass from deep in his half by Miguel Timm, turned, and sprinted in on goal, before providing a classy finish past the ‘keeper.

The visiting team looked to be in full control of the game at this point, but Chippa struck back on 37 minutes with a rapier-like counter-attack. It was started by a brilliant throw from Kazapua and finished off with aplomb by Bienvenu Eva Nga after good touches from Siphelele Luthuli and Peter Maloisane in the build-up movement to make it 1-1.

The teams remained on level terms up to