Ten-man Marumo Gallants came from behind to rescue a draw in a four-goal thriller against Chippa United in the Betway Premiership on Saturday evening.
After being handed the head coach position, Thabo September made wholesale changes from the side that lost to Kaizer Chiefs under former coach Kwanele Kopo, as only Andile Jali, Bienvenu Eva Nga, Sinoxolo Kwayiba and Ayabulela Kanqobe remained.
Gallants, meanwhile, remained the same, as Sekela Sithole took the place of Monde Mphambaniso to support Gabadinho Mhango upfront, as the only change from their win over Cape Town City.
Dan Malesela's charges had a bright start after Edgar Manaka gave them an early lead from the penalty spot.
Chippa were fired up as Eva eventually levelled matters midway into the first stanza with a header from a rebound after goalkeeper Washington Arubi parried a free-kick from Aphelele Teto.
The Chilli Boys gained momentum and Justice Chabalala sent them ahead with a first-time shot from close-range following a set-piece situation.
The visitors were down to ten men a moment before the interval after Masindi Nemtajela got a second yellow card for a foul and was sent off.
It did not show early in the second stanza that Gallants were a man short after Mhango equalised with a header from close-range from a set-piece routine.
September's men only got into the game midway into the second stanza as Kanqobe had a shot pushed away from the bottom corner by Arubi.
Chippa gained momentum in the closing stages, looking to capitalize on their numerical advantage and in the dying minutes made an attacking change as Ronaldo Maarman replaced Sirgio Kammies.
United continued to pressurize Siwelele Sa Marumo in the tail end but Dan Malesela's troops were compact and held on to the share of the spoils.
Confirmed line-ups:
Chippa United: Johnson, Konqobe, Chabalala, Kammies, Nstabo, Kwayiba, Jali, Makhele, Matrose, Teto, Eva Nga
Marumo Gallants: Arubi, Chabatsane, Khumalo, Mathiane, Sithole, Msendami, Sikhosana, Nemtajla, Mhango, Manaka, Mahlatsi
Subs: Akpeyi, Mokobodi, Mphambaniso, Dhludhlu, Ncube, Nange, Mabotja, Shai, Nthatheni