Chippa United 0

Kaizer Chiefs 0

Betway Premiership
Nelson Mandela Bay stadium, Gqeberha

Kaizer Chiefs and Chippa United played out and entertaining, though ultimately goalless Betway Premiership draw at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday.

While the sizeable crowd that lent a festive atmosphere to proceedings were treated to some lively action in the first half, it produced little in terms of goal mouth drama and clear cut opportunities.

Every time Amakhosi looked to press home their advantage in possession, they were met with a congested defence that proved impermeable, and the hosts offered minimal threat going forward aside from one shot from range in stoppage time that flew narrowly wide of Bruce Bvuma’s goal.

The Glamour Boys’ best chance of the opening 45 minutes fell to Wandile Duba on the half-hour mark when he flashed a header wide of the post from a fine cross from Dillan Solomons on the run down the right wing.

Solomons showed his spring heels at the other end moments later, chasing down Sirgio Kammies as the Chippa man headed for goal on a break through the middle.

The industrious Duba went close again in the 39th minute, flicking Gaston Sirino’s chip towards goal but though on target, it lacked the power to trouble Stanley Nwabili in the Chippa goal. Three minutes later his long range volley produced the same outcome.

Pule Mmodi went close early in the second half but was couldn’t steer his effort towards goal after Duba and Sirino had caused havoc in the Chippa box.

Mmodi was involved again in the 68^th minute, breaking for goal from the left and only thwarted by a risky, unorthodox tackle from Nwabali.

At the other end, Bvuma repelled everything that came his way, keeping out efforts from Giovanni Philander and Kammies to protect his clean sheet.

Amakhosi’s final attempt came in stoppage time from a Bradley Cross shot that curled away from the far post. Shortly afterwards the referee’s whistle brought the match to a conclusion.

With four fixtures remaining, the single point keeps Chiefs in eighth position in the league table just two points shy of seventh-placed AmaZulu, and with a game in hand. Next, they welcome Marumo Gallants to the FNB stadium on Saturday, 26 April, before they play two consecutive Soweto Derbies against Orlando Pirates, first at FNB in the league the following week, and then in the Nedbank Cup final on 10 May in Durban.

Line-ups

Kaizer Chiefs: Bvuma (44), Cross (48), Dove (2), Kwinika (4), Solomons (18) (Blom (6) 46’), Maart © (8), Mmodi (13), Sirino (10) (Shabalala (42) 66’), Cele (21) (76’), Morris (40) (Lilepo (99) 46’) Duba (36) (Du Preez (9) 76’)

Subs not used: Petersen (1), McCarthy (35), Mashiane (19), Mthethwa (5)

Coach: Nasreddine Nabi

Chippa Utd: Nwabali © (23), Chabalala (33), Martin (30) (Ndlovu (5) 90+3’), Makhele (4), Kwayiba (14) (Philander (17) 46’), Kammies (25), Sakala (35) (Bienvenu (9) 46’), Madingwana (28), Konqobe (24) (Baraka (16) 82’) Mqokozo (12) (Tyongwana (22) 67’), Sithole (47)

Subs not used: Johnson (32), Moloao (18), Teto (26), Modise (27)

Coach: Thabo September