Chippa United began the promotion/relegation play-offs with a 2-1 win over Richards Bay FC at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
After the 2020/21 promotion/relegation play-offs were halted on Thursday due to Royal AM’s application for leave to appeal, the Premier Soccer League sought relief and on Friday evening the GladAfrica Championship side’s application was dismissed by Judge Roland Sutherland.
The ruling by Sutherland nullified a previous order by Nyathi AJ suspending the promotion-relegation play-offs, according to the PSL, who confirmed the resumption of the play-offs early on Saturday afternoon.
Chippa made three changes from the side that drew with SuperSport United in their final DStv premiership game of the season earlier this month, as Oupa Manyisa was handed his first start, alongside recalls for veterans Andile Mbenyane and Kurt Lentjies.
Ramasimong Maloisane came close to giving Chippa the lead in the 20th minute with a deft chip that was saved by goalkeeper Malcolm Jacobs, after he was sent through by Ayabulela Kanqobe.
The Natal Rich Boyz were the better side early on, as Khanyisa Mayo got a chance to break the deadlock just after the half-hour mark with a strike inside the box but his effort was saved by shot-stopper Ismail Watenga.
After a goalless first half, Chippa had the perfect start in the second as Sandile Mthethwa broke the deadlock just five minutes after the interval.
Moments later, the Chilli Boys increased their firepower in attack, as they sent Sizwe Mdlinzo and Bienvenu Eva Nga on to replace Manyisa and Mbenyane.
However, Richards Bay were not relentless and did fight back after that, with Lentjies making a last ditch goal-line clearance in the 64th minute before Watenga pulled off a crucial save to deny Siyabonga Vilane four minutes later.
Mdlinzo made it 2-0 to Chippa lead eight minutes before time after a swift counterattack. Although, the Natal Rich Boyz managed to reduce the deficit through Paseka Sekese’s goal late on.
Meanwhile, the late rally from Richards Bay didn’t prevent the Chilli Boys from securing their first win of the playoffs.