A cruel own goal by James Okwuosa in the dying seconds of optional time gave University of Pretoria a 1-0 win over Chippa United in an Absa Premiership match played at the Absa Tuks Stadium.

Okwuosa had been superb in defence all night for the visitors, but could not help bundling the ball over his own line following a Thabiso Mosadi cross right at the end of referee’s optional time.

It was a cruel blow for Chippa who, overall, had the better scoring chances on the night and will kick themselves all the way back to Cape Town for not scoring tonight.

Twelve minutes in and the first attempt on goal arrived when Washington Arubi did enough to parry away a stinging direct a free kick by Diego Brown, who was one of the liveliest players in the opening stages.

Chippa’s Larry Cohen, in central midfield, was switching the play diagonally across the field, showing an array of passing skills as the Cape side began the game with confidence.

In the 27th minute Ayanda Lubelo got into a good position on the left side of the danger area, but he skied his shot way over the crossbar.

Two minutes later the visitors missed a really good chance when Brown just could not get onto the end of a crisp low cross from Welcome Qalanto, after a stunning move that started in the defence.

Then, in the 37th minute, Chippa missed another really good chance when Qalanto capitalised on a mistake by Siyabonga Shoyisa and got free on goal, but his volley was rushed and he pulled the shot wide of goal with just Arubi to beat.

Four minutes later the impressive Brown got his power behind a shot from outside the area, but he could not keep the ball down as it flew over the bar.

Chippa’s best chance of the first half came when Lubelo turned his marker very well and powered in a left footed shot, but Kassaly Douada saved very well.

In the 50th minute Lubelo got into space after Mame Niang knocked a header down towards him, but he could not get his head over the volley and the ball flew high and over the goal.

Chippa can thank James Okwuosa who made a telling slide tackle on Niang when he was through on goal in the 57th minute as the home side piled on the pressure at the start of the second half.

In the 66th minute Ronald Ketjijere got in a solid strike from distance, but found Douda well positioned to make the save.

Then Mkhanyisel Siwahla put a volley wide of goal after 72 minutes when he really should have hit the target.

In the 78th minute, Daouda saved well to deny Ngoma from well-taken a direct free kick.

AmaTuks had to play the final 8 minutes of the game with ten man after Shoyisa went off injured and all three changes had already been made.

University of Pretoria (0) 1 (Okwuosa 90og)

Chippa United 0

Teams:

AmaTuks: Arubi; Mphahlele, Shoyisa, Matsi, Mkhwanazi; Ngoma, Lubelo, Selolwane (Mosadi 58’), Ketjijere; Radebe (Zungu 46’), Niang (Mutizwa 76’)

Chippa United: Daouda; Moonsamy, Mvalo, Okwuosa, Thwala; Tomonyane, Sali, Alexander (Siwahla 57’), Brown (Nqothani 62’); Qalanto (Ngebo 57’), Cohen