Kaizer Chiefs (0) 0

Chippa United (0) 0

At Moses Mabhida Stadium

Amakhosi got their 2023/24 DStv Premiership campaign off to a solid, if unspectacular start with a 0-0 draw against Chippa United in front of a crowd of more than 30 000 fans at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Sunday.

In his first official match in charge of the Glamour Boys, Coach Molefi Ntseki handed debuts to four new signings in his starting line-up, with Edson Castillo, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, Given Msimango and Ranga Chivaviro making their bows in the Club’s striking new gold and black Kappa kit.

Chiefs looked sharp in the opening exchanges, as they began the match with a lively tempo, moving the ball around nicely and showing signs of the potential combinations that are developing in the team.

Amakhosi held sway for the majority of the opening stanza, frequently pinning the Chill Boys back through the pace of Christian Saile on the right flank, and pressurising the visitors' defence by getting numbers into the box. However, apart from a fierce shot from Mduduzi Shabalala that whizzed narrowly wide, no other clear-cut chances were created in a half that saw both teams cancel each other out with well-drilled defences.

It was a similar story after the break, although the tide was very much in Amakhosi’s favour, as they pressed for a goal that would have validated their overall superiority. To their credit, Chippa withstood the regular Chiefs onslaught in the second half, as they stoically managed to hold their ground in the face of sweeping attacks involving Saile, substitute Ashley Du Preez and two more debutants off the bench, Mdu Mdantsane and Tebogo Potsane.

In the end, Ntseki’s side had to settle for a point but, bearing in mind that it is the first game of the season and the club has introduced a number of new players under a new coach, there was a lot of positivity to take from the match, none more so than the seemingly rock solid defensive combination of Ditlhokwe and Msimango.

The team can take heart from the performance and go into the midweek clash against Mamelodi Sundowns with confidence and belief.

Line-ups:

Chiefs XI: Petersen (1), Hlanti (23), Ditlhokwe (24), Msimango (25), Frosler (39), Maart © (8), Castillo (17), Nk Ngcobo (12) Mdantsane (3) 71’), Shabalala (42) (Du Preez (9) 60’), Basomboli (21), Chivaviro (7) (Potsane (11) 71’)

Subs: Bvuma (44); Nj Ngcobo (27), Kwinika (4), Sithebe (6), Zwane (37), Radebe (33),

Coach: Molefi Ntseki

Chippa XI: Nwabali (32); Pietersen © (5), Mosele (20), Mulenga (15) (Martin (30) 90+2’), Lebitso (28), Chabalala (33), Luthuli (13) (Memela (10 64’), Mdunywela (2), Ntsabo (3) (Kammies (25) 64’), Ndwandwe (17)( Maarman (11) 64’), Konqobe (24)

Subs: Kazapua (1); Mbenyane (7), Banda (4), Majogoro (19), Nkwanyana (21), Molaoa (18)

Coach: Morgan Mammila