Kaizer Chiefs suffer Premiership blow after frustrating draw against Chippa United

Kaizer Chiefs failed to close in on the summit of the Betway Premiership standings after they were held to a goalless draw by Chippa United at the New Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Wednesday night.

The draw left Chiefs fifth on the log with 23 points, five behind pacesetters Orlando Pirates after 12 rounds of matches for both teams. A win here would not only have taken Chiefs to fourth or even third on the table, but it would have seen them return to winning ways and maintain a flawless away run in the league after winning their previous three matches on the road.

Meanwhile, the tough period continued for the Chilli Boys. They remain rooted to the bottom of the log with 10 points, one behind 15th-placed Magesi, who have a game in hand.

Having seen their purple patch end due to continental commitments — after losing to Al Masry and drawing with Zamalek in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage — Chiefs were eager to bounce back and close the gap on log leaders Orlando Pirates.

But after making as many as seven changes to their starting line-up, Chiefs struggled to break down the hosts from start to finish, with the match ending goalless.

Chippa, surprisingly, had the better chances to score and find an early breakthrough, but they became their own worst enemies or fell victim to questionable officiating. Early on, Inacio Miguel made a hospital back-pass that was intercepted by Justice Figuareido, but the Eswatini-born striker was let down by his control as the ball struck his leg and rolled into the path of goalkeeper Brandon Petersen.

Chiefs’ defence was disorganised again when Zitha Kwinika appeared to impede his marker — facing his own goal with a hand to the face — but referee Jelly Chavani saw no wrongdoing and waved play on.

While Chippa were hitting Chiefs on the counter, the visitors resorted to building from the back. But that approach was ineffective. Mfundo Vilakazi saw plenty of possession on the flank, but his final delivery into the box was lacking.

It was frontman Flavio Silva who let Chiefs down, though. He ballooned a close-range effort after being set up by a delightful cross from Asanele Velebayi, who was making his first league start of the season and his second appearance overall.

With Idumba Fasika playing a central role in keeping Chippa’s defence tight, Chiefs threatened from distance early in the second half. That nearly paid off as Nkosingiphile Ngcobo unleashed a high-flying thunderbolt, only for Dumisani Msibi — who had a quiet first half — to produce a superb save.

There was a standing-ovation homecoming for Gqeberha’s own Khanyisa Mayo as he made his return to action in front of his home supporters and his father, Patrick, who was on commentary duty for SABC’s Umhlobo Wenene FM.

Mayo’s introduction added to Chiefs’ attacking threat, but it was fellow substitute Bienvenu Eva Nga who nearly found the opener. The Cameroonian, with acres of space, struck a powerful shot that forced Brandon Petersen into a brilliant save.

Chiefs almost responded instantly. A scramble in the box saw an unmarked Vilakazi receive the ball, but his timid effort — with Msibi beaten — struck the upright and rolled out for a corner kick.

Chiefs threw more numbers forward late on in search of the winner, but it wasn’t to be. They will hope to end the year on a high by beating TS Galaxy in their last league match in Mbombela on Sunday.