Chippa United end Kaizer Chiefs unbeaten run

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Wednesday Dec 06, 2017. 22:09

Chippa United beat Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 on Wednesday night to end the Amakhosi's Absa Premiership unbeaten run in a clash at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

An early goal courtesy of Abel Mabaso handed the Chilli Boys the three points and leaves Chiefs sitting at number seven on the log table, with 16 points from 13 games.

The hosts had the upper hand from the first whistle and duly took the lead with a goal in the fifth minute through Mabaso.

Mark Mayambela skillfully beat Teenage Hadebe on the left wing before laying a wonderful cross for an unmarked Mabaso, who easily tapped home past Itumeleng Khune.

The encounter was evenly balanced after that with the Soweto giants showing a sense of urgency, but they could not penetrate the Chilli Boys defence.

Coach Teboho Moloi's men kept Chiefs under pressure, and were only denied a second in 24th minute by Khune who produced a fine save to deny Moeketsi Sekola's powerful header from finding the back of the net.

Eight minutes later, Hendrik Ekstein showed his class in the box and beat his marker, but could not score past Daniel Akpeyi from the near post as hist attempt rattled the woodwork.

Towards the 40th minute, Amakhosi kept Akpeyi busy as they knocked on the door for an equaliser, but the Nigerian keeper was solid as he punched away Siphiwe Tshabalala's set piece.

Despite Chiefs' efforts to unlock the Chippa defence, the fast-paced opening half ended 1-0 in favour of the hosts.

The Glamour Boys came close to finding the equalizer in the 71st minute, but James Okwuosa cleared George Maluleka's set piece off the line to keep the Chilli Boys noses in front.

With 11 minutes to go, Chippa pushed for a second goal, but Hadebe was alert to sweep away Katlego Mashego's attemot which was heading into an open net.

Coach Steve Komphela's men upped the ante in the last six minutes, yet Akpeyi was equal to the task to punch away Gustavo Paez's header from close range.

The hosts were disciplined to deny Chiefs as the result propels them to the second spot on the log standings, with 19 points from 13 outings in the league.

Chippa United: (1) 1 (Mabaso 5')
Kaizer Chiefs: (0) 0

Chippa United: Akpeyi, Macheke, Mako (Mbokoma 65'), Konqobe, Okwuosa, Maphanga, Mabaso, Mdlindzo, Lentjies (Zuke 86'), Mayambela (Mashego 75'), Sekola
Kaizer Chiefs: Khune, Cardoso, Hadebe, Ngezana, Zulu, Katsande, Maluleka, Tshabalala (Jayiya 84'), Molangoane, Ekstein (Paez 55'), Parker (Zuma 78')