The match looked to be heading for a goalless draw after Chippa's Welcome Qalanto had cancelled out Dove Wome's opener for the visitors.

However, it was substitute Moeketsi Mvula who had the last say when he pounced on a loose ball in the box on 88 minutes to hand Ea Lla Koto all three points.

The hosts started brightly at a rain-soaked and windswept Athlone Stadium, with midfielder Mfundo Shumana forcing a save from goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene in the 11th minute.

Stars' first real goal scoring chance of the evening arrived on the 20th minute mark when veteran midfielder Paulus Masehe fired over the bar from 20 yards out.

Six minutes later, Chippa did well to get themselves in an attacking position, but Luyolo Nomandela's cross was saved by Abduraghmaan White.

The home side brought on Diego Brown for Philani Dlamini just one minute later to bolster their attacking options, but it was the visitors who drew first blood shortly thereafter when Masehe found the back of the net with a header from 12 yards.

The Chilli Boys rallied well, though, as Qalanto converted Brown's inviting cross with a headed effort into the top-left corner from six yards out on 33 minutes.

Sensing they could add to Qalanto equaliser, Chippa continued to pile on the pressure, but they were denied by Mweene on several occasions as the half ended in stalemate.

The second period was closely contested with both teams struggling to grab the game by the scruff of the neck.

Stars should have reclaimed the lead on 66 minutes but Taongo Dondo's shot from 12 yards was brilliantly blocked by White.

And with the match petering out, White suffered a lapse in concentration, allowing Mvula to nip in and dispatch the ball into the back of the net from the centre of the penalty area.

They almost added another just two minutes later, but Luyolo Nomandela failed to hit the target with a header from 12 yards out. 3 points to Ea Lla Koto and the momentum continues!

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