Typically a club that is entrenched in the fight against relegation from season to season, Chippa United came under heavy criticism when the club’s management sacked Daine Klate following a defeat to DStv Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns in early September but it is difficult to argue it was not the right move. The Chilli Boys have rattled off three consecutive wins since then under Siyabulela Gwambi and Kaizer Chiefs were their latest victim on Saturday in a 2-1 comeback road victory at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.
Heading into the match on a seven-match unbeaten run it appeared that Chiefs manager Arthur Zwane discovered the formula to success and Amakhosi took the lead just before halftime courtesy of Siyabonga Ngezana’s headed goal from a Keagan Dolly corner kick. However, Chippa made two halftime substitutions and the comeback began in earnest after the break with Siphelele Luthuli reacting quickest to equalize when Chiefs failed to clear a cross in the 54th minute.
With striker Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana failing to fire and having a goal controversially disallowed before Luthuli’s leveler, it was only fitting that Chiefs’ bad luck would be compounded when Luthuli’s 89th minute free kick from out wide came off the head of center back Edmilson Dove and in off the post. Chiefs stay in fourth place on seventeen points with the result and will be regretting they missed out on valuable points.
In the other match on Saturday surprise package Richards Bay played out a 0-0 draw at home against Maritzburg United, a match the hosts will also be regretting did not turn into three points. The Natal Rich Boys had the better of play but struggled to find the target throughout against relegation candidates Maritzburg, whose stubborn defense ensured that league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns were the big winners on the day despite being out of domestic action due to CAF Champions League commitments.
Highlights from both of Saturday’s games are below.
Scores
Richards Bay 0-0 Maritzburg United
Kaizer Chiefs 1-2 Chippa United
Highlights
Kaizer Chiefs 1-2 Chippa United
Richards Bay 0-0 Maritzburg United