Royal AM and Chippa United settled for a share of the spoils after playing to a 1-1 draw at Chatsworth Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Chippa welcomed back Thabiso Lebitso from injury and rewarded Etiosa Ighodaro for his impact off the bench against Cape Town City, while AM dropped Philani Cele from the loss to Maritzburg United.
The Chilli Boys trailed on six minutes as forward Motebang Sera turned in a ball by Levy Mashiane after the host struggled to get their defensive lines in proper shape.
It no less were the ideal start for Thwihli Thwahla and this outfit could've very well added a second from a few half-chances but Sera, Tebogo Potsane and Elias Pelembe fluffed.
Nonetheless, as the chances for the host and the Chilli Boys opened up throughout the course of the first half – AM went to the break a goal to their advantage.
Defender Lesego Manganyi came on for Ricardo Nascimento as Thwihli Thwahla introduced a change before the start of of the second period and more to consolidate their lead.
Royal AM, who had lost their last match to Maritzburg in the KwaZulu-Natal, added more fresh faces in Mfundo Thikazi for Potsane before Mashiane made way for Godfred Nyarko.
The Chilli Boys rallied for much of the second spell and levelled when a delivery from Ronaldo Maarman met Ighodaro and the forward had no problems beating goalkeeper Hugo Nyame.
In the end, the host and Chippa played to a draw with neither managing to find the winner and the two outfits missed out on a top eight spot.
Confirmed line-ups:
Royal AM: Nyame, Nascimento, Matlaba, Rikhotso, Domingues, Masuku, Dlamini, Potsane, Mashiane, Sikakane, Sera.
Subs: Ngcobo, Msomi, Ncobeni, Manganyi, Thikazi, Nyanko, Dube, Mogaila, Macuphu.
Chippa United: Kazapua, Mdunyelwa, Ntsabo, Pietersen, Poggenpoel, Mayo, Mkhize, Lebitso, Chabalala, Luthuli, Ighodaro
Subs: Nwabali, Banda, Maphangule, Mathiane, Konqobe, Manona, Mbenyane, Kambindu, Maarman
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