Chippa United 0

Kaizer Chiefs 0

Betway Premiership
Nelson Mandela Bay stadium, Gqeberha

Amakhosi will feel as though their 0-0 draw against Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Gqeberha was a case of two Betway Premiership points dropped rather than one gained from a match they dominated sufficiently to have warranted a three-point haul over the 90-plus minutes.

The first half provided the vibrant crowd with little in the way of goalmouth action but no lack of commitment and effort. With tenacious one-on-one battles all over the pitch, Amakhosi withstood some early Chippa pressure, as the hosts look to fight their way off the bottom of the league table. As the half progressed, Amakhosi began to assert some territorial superiority as George Matlou, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo and Lebohang Maboe gained control of the midfield.

Amakhosi’s most promising attacks came down the flanks, with Mfundo Vilakazi tormenting the Chippa defence with his direct running and but for a foot here and a deflection there, one of his crosses might have been finished off. On the other wing, Asanele Velebayi also looked dangerous every time he took on his marker and had a few shots at goal after cutting inside to make space for a strike. The best chance fell to Flavio Da Silva in the 34^th minute but the striker was unable to guide Velebayi’s cross into the net on the stretch from close range.

The Chippa players fought tooth and nail to defend their goal and managed to frustrate the visitors until the referee blew time for the interval.

Da Silva had another opportunity in the 55^th minute when his header from a Vilakazi cross was saved by Chippa ‘keeper, Dumisani Msibi.

The Chiefs midfield continued to dictate the direction of play and in more than one instance, Chippa barely survived being breached.

It was at the three-quarter mark of the game that Brandon Petersen was first called into action and he proved himself more than equal to the task with a comfortable save down to his right to keep out substitute, Bienvenu Eva Nga’s long-range drive.

On 70 minutes, Msibi got the faintest of touches to Vilakazi’s on-target shot to deny the precocious youngster a certain goal after he was found inside the box by a clever Da Silav pass. Eight minutes later, substitute, Mduduzi Shabalala, fired a left-footed shot a fraction wide as Amakhosi built up a head of steam looking for all three points.

It was not to be, however, and despite further attempts from late substitutes, a header from Etiosa Ighodaro and a Siphesihle Ndlovu shot that both went close, Amakhosi had to settle for a point when the final whistle went.

The draw leaves Chiefs in fifth place in the league standings, with 23 points from 12 matches. They will have one more opportunity in 2025 to gain ground on the leaders when they face TS Galaxy at the Mbombela stadium in Mpumalanga on Sunday, 7 December.

Line-ups

Kaizer Chiefs: Petersen © (1), Mako (29), Miguel (14), Kwinika (4), Monyane (2), Matlou (22), Ngcobo (12) (Shabalala (7) 61’), Maboe (6) (Ndlovu (8) 82’), Vilakazi (28) (Mmodi (13) 74’), Velebayi (17) (Mayo (3) 61’), Da Silva (77) (Ighodaro (50) 74’)

Subs not used: Bvuma (44); McCarthy (35), Solomons (18), Msimango (25)

Coaches: Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze

Chippa Utd: Msibi (32); Bonani (34) (Konqobe (24) 59’), Hlophe (11) (Malaoa (30) 86’), Modise (27), Kammies (25), Mosele (20), Idumba (4), Matrose (10) (Madingwana (28) 46’), Figareido (9), Mfecane (8) (Bienvenu (7) 59’), Majadibodu (35) 

Subs not used: E. Sithole (1); X Sithole (3), Ntsundwana (45), Seabi (21), Mbhele (29)

Coach: Vusimuzi Vilakazi