Chippa United vs Kaizer Chiefs – our predictions

Phakaaathi’s Jonty Mark and Khaya Ndubane give their views on who will win on the day.

Why Chiefs will win (Jonty Mark, Phakaaathi Editor)

Whisper it quietly, but Kaizer Chiefs are starting to look like a coherent football team under Steve Komphela, which is not something you could say about Amakhosi very often since he took over at the start of the 2015/16 campaign. Chiefs have blundered their way through the past couple of seasons, without any proper silverware to show for their efforts, and their displays at the start of this campaign were not exactly mesmerising. However, in stunning Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 on October 17, Chiefs suddenly found a rhythm, with Joseph Molangoane a surprising success in defence, and Siphiwe Tshabalala and Bernard Parker starting to show there is still plenty of energy left in their talented legs. Chiefs are still lacking a clinical edge in front of goal, illustrated by goalless draws with Orlando Pirates and Polokwane City, but they are proving extremely difficult to beat. Chippa United are on a roll going into Sunday’s Telkom Knockout quarterfinal against Chiefs, but I still expect Amakhosi to come out on top. Chippa and Chiefs both like to play the ball on the ground, but both also tend to play on the counter attack, so I expect a cautious affair in Port Elizabeth, with Komphela’s side edging it by a single goal. 1-0 to Chiefs.

Prediction: Chippa United 0 Kaizer Chiefs 1

Why Chippa will win (Khaya Ndubane, Online Content Manager)

Having already claimed the scalp of Mamelodi Sundowns already in this competition, the Chilli Boys will fancy their chances against the Chiefs side that has been rather inconsistent this season. With Samuel Julies proving to be the match winner for Teboho Moloi’s team, he will in no doubt be the danger man for Chiefs this afternoon. Chippa have become very difficult to break down at the back ever since Moloi took over from Dan Malesela and I don’t see the misfiring Chiefs strike force causing any problem for them. Chippa handed Chiefs a 3-1 drubbing at the same venue last season. I don’t think they’ll beat them with the same score line this afternoon, but the Chilli Boys will beat Chiefs and go through to the semi-finals of the Telkom Knockout.

Prediction: Chippa United 2 Kaizer Chiefs 1