Chippa United struck a late winner to defeat Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday evening.
The result saw the Chilli Boys claim a third successive win and move up to seventh place on the standings. Amakhosi remained in fourth spot and saw the end of a three-game winning run and five-game unbeaten streak. The Soweto side also missed out on the chance to rise to the top of the log.
KAIZER CHIEFS HUMBLED BY CHIPPA UNITED
Chiefs settled the quicker of the two teams and bossed possession from early on, though they found Chippa’s deep-lying defence a tough nut to crack.
To give the visitors credit, they worked hard to close down the space on the flanks and starve service to Chiefs’ beanpole striker Caleb Bimenyimana, who had hardly a sniff of the ball in the opening half hour.
The hosts finally carved out a clear chance in the 32nd minute. Kgaogelo Sekgota picked out Keagan Dolly in the middle of the penalty with a low cross from the right. The Chiefs number 10 produced a tame shot that was comfortably saved by goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua.
Six minutes later Dolly produced an effort with a lot more venom in it, firing off a shot from the left of the box. But his effort only rippled the side netting.
Yet momentum was on the Amakhosi’s side and they claimed the lead on 44 minutes through defender Siyabonga Ngezana. Chippa opted for a double change at the start of the second half, with Etiosa Ighodaro and Ayabulela Konqobe introduced.
Chiefs’ defence failed to deal with a cross from the left by Ronald Pfumbidzai, and the loose ball was cracked home by Siphelele Luthuli for 1-1.
The Eastern Cape side then stunned the Durban crowd with a goal out of nowhere in the 89th minute. Luthuli whipped in a fine free kick and Pfumbidzai’s header deflected off Dove Edmilson and founds its way into the back of the net.
BACK IN DURBAN
The teams will return to DStv Premiership action next midweek. Chippa will host Sekhukhune United on Tuesday 18 October. Chiefs will welcome TS Galaxy on Wednesday 19 October.
