In their Sasol Women's League match at the Shayandima grounds on Sunday, Chippas United FC crushed the hosts, Shayandima Morning Stars, 4-0 to keep their title hopes alive.
Morning Stars created numerous scoring chances within the opening 20 minutes, but the Chippas defenders, Mkateko Sithole and Salome Nndwa, kept their danger area clean from the onset. The referee, Mr Eric "Khathikhathi" Munyai, booked Mkateko Sithole of Chippas for dangerous play in the 14th minute.
Chippas were leading 1-0 when the half-time whistle was blown. Their centre forward, Mantswi Nthabiseng, beat the offside trap and sent the keeper, Mashudu Ramabulana, the wrong way.
Chippas were the first to effect change to their starting 11. They introduced Khodani Ratshalingwa and sacrificed Cute Mavanga four minutes into the second half. The visitors from Makwarela were awarded a free kick in the 25-meter area in the 59th minute. Kholani Mukhuwana tried her luck and the keeper of Morning Stars watched helplessly as the ball hit the back of the net.
Morning Stars replaced Onezwa Pinana with Maipfi Nembilwi three minutes afterwards. Mantswi Nthabiseng of Chippas could not believe her eyes when she went loose from the left corner and shot wide with the keeper already beaten. A substitute, Khodani Ratshalingwa, made her presence felt when she forced her way through and increased the margin in the 69th minute.
Morning Stars did not stop fighting, although time was fast running out for them. They kept on creating dangerous moves from behind, but their strikers were unlucky. The keeper of Morning Stars mishandled the ball and Mantswi Ntabiseng, who was watching closely, intercepted and scored the fourth.
Olga Netshidzivhani of Stars was also booked for obstruction late in the game.