Veteran midfielder Andile Jali was hauled off at halftime after sustaining a hamstring injury according to Chippa United head coach Kwanele Kopo.
The former Orlando Pirates captain had given the Chilli Boys a 21st minute lead with a rocket from 30 yards out before Tshegofatso Mabasa levelled matters. Monnapule Saleng then struck deep in stoppage time to hand the Buccaneers all three points with a 2-1 win.
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At the resumption of the second period, Jali was spotted taking up a seat on the bench instead of returning to the pitch, with Kopo admitting that the former Bafana Bafana international was not in the best of shape due to lack of minutes under his belt and missed a few days of training leading up to this encounter.
“Andile had a problem with his hamstring,” Kopo told SuperSport TV after the match.
“It was really a gamble to start him. He hasn’t trained for three days this week.
“But we needed someone of his character, of his experience and technical ability.
“And I think once we lost him at halftime, the adjustment to create the block, we completely lost it,” he added.
The Chilli Boys take on Richards Bay at home in their next match this coming weekend while Pirates welcome Jwaneng Galaxy in the CAF Champions League Preliminary round second leg tie after a huge 2-0 advantage away in Botswana.
