Justice Figuareido's goal fires Chippa clear of Orbit College in Rustenburg

Justice Figuareido's goal fires Chippa clear of Orbit College in Rustenburg

Chippa United claimed a vital 1-0 Betway Premiership win over Orbit College FC at Olympia Park in Rustenburg on Saturday, with substitute Justice Figuareido proving the difference in a tight contest.

The first half was evenly balanced, with Chippa asking most of the early questions. Boy Madingwane tested Orbit goalkeeper Sabelo Calvin Nkomo twice inside the opening 15 minutes, while Bienvenu Eva Nga and Abbubaker Mobara both saw efforts blocked as the visitors pressed high.

Orbit College responded mainly from set pieces, with Lucky Malatsi heading narrowly wide after 38 minutes.

Discipline was an issue for the hosts, as Realeboga Potsana and Katlego Mkhabela were both booked for bad fouls, but they held firm to go into the break level at nil-nil.

Chippa made a decisive move at half-time, introducing Justice Figuareido, and the change paid off. After early second-half pressure from the visitors, the breakthrough arrived on 60 minutes.

Goodman Mosele teed up Figuareido, who struck a composed right-footed shot from outside the box into the bottom left corner to silence the home crowd.

Orbit pushed for an equaliser, with Amethyst Ralani and Ayanda Lukhele going close, while Pogiso Mahlangu had a late effort blocked as the hosts threw numbers forward.

Chippa remained dangerous on the counter, forcing Nkomo into several saves to protect his side from further damage.

The win lifted Chippa United off the bottom of the table into 15th place with 12 points from 16 matches. Orbit College, despite a spirited performance, slipped to 14th on 13 points after the same number of games, while Magesi remained bottom on 11 points. 

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