When you work for Chippa Mpengesi, first impressions, if good, count. Sometimes they don't.

Ask Roger Sikhakhane. He was shown the door, even though he did a pretty good job to get Chippa United into eighth place before the Christmas break.

Well-travelled German coach Ernst Middendoro took charge of his first match for Chippa last night against University of Pretoria, who beat the visitors 2-1 - thanks to goals from Atusaye Nyondo and Denver Mukamba either side of half time.

In a normal world, it would be ridiculous to even suggest that Middendorp is under pressure after just one game, but coaches at United have been fired after just two matches, so United are going to have to improve on last night's performance if the coach wants to see out his contract, which runs till the end of the season.

Tuks settled quicker and put United under early pressure. Zimbabwean midfielder Mukamba was first to have a go at goal in the 10th minute, but his shot went straight into the hands of United goalkeeper Mbongeni Mzimela.

Tuks finally found a chink in the United armour 10 minutes before the break, as Nyondo pounced on a loose ball in the area after Mzimela had failed to deal with Thabo Mosadi's powerful shot.

United came out for the second period much stronger and it took them just eight minutes to get back on level terms.

Substitute Erick Chipeta headed home from an Andile Mbenyane set piece, much to the delight of Middendorp who hardly took a seat last night. Just four minutes later, though, Tuks were in front again, Mukamba slotting the ball home to seal the three points.