No joy for Chippa as Chiefs get back to winning ways

Kaizer Chiefs got back to winning ways, condemning Chippa United and leaving them deeper in the relegation zone after a 1-0 beating on Thursday afternoon.

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The Soweto giants had gone into the game looking to turn things around after a freak defeat to Sekhukhune United last weekend which ended their unbeaten run. 

The win does not move them any higher in the DStv Premiership standings as they remain fourth. 

Chiefs cut the distance between them and third placed Orlando Pirates to two points, though the Buccaneers have one game in hand.

For Chippa, the result is disastrous and leaves them firmly stuck in the relegation zone with three games to the end of the season.

They only have themselves to blame for this loss as they had some good chances where they caught Chiefs but could not utilise them wisely. 

It was clear to see from the onset at a packed Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium that Chiefs were hungry for a result as they took the game to their hosts. 

They created a few good chances but it was Chippa who looked more composed in their attack in the earlier exchanges. 

Chiefs’ biggest chance came in the 26th minute. Christian Saile went on a good solo run down the right, getting past two Chippa defenders.

He then crossed it, and it fell for Mduduzi Shabalala. He struck it first touch with his left and hit the crossbar.

Chiefs could have scored more

After his good run, Saile became perhaps overconfident and started hogging the ball and looking to make runs even when teammates were available to pass too.

Chippa were also creating their own chances on the other side but their final ball let them down.

Lloyd Kazapua pulled off a brilliant save in the last minute of the first half from a Reeve Frosler effort from outside the box.

There were a number of players around Kazapua as it was a set piece, but he did well to tip the ball over.

Chiefs should have taken the lead in the 53rd minute. Happy Mashiane swung in a good cross which Saile headed back to Ashley Du Preez. The latter however ballooned his hurried effort harmlessly over.

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Du Preez however made up for that miss when he scored a beautiful goal in the 72nd minute.

Frosler found him with a long range pass, and he took his time before curling the ball beyond Kazapua’s reach into the top corner.