Kaizer Chiefs returned to winning ways in the DStv Premiership after they edged struggling Chippa United 1-0 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
Ashley Du Preez’s 72nd-minute goal settled the contest in Gqeberha, although Mduduzi Shabalala came close in the first half when he struck the woodwork.
Arthur Zwane’s side closed within two points of arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in fourth place with their 13th win of the season, with the Chilli Boys’ woes deepening following a third defeat on the spin.
Chippa were seeking their first victory in eight league matches in a bid to escape the relegation zone, while Chiefs looked to keep their fading top-two hopes alive after going winless in their last two games.
The visitors made a bright start and Du Preez had a shot blocked inside the first minute before Christian Saile tested Loydt Kazapua with a header on five minutes after getting on the end of Mduduzi Shabalala’s cross.
Lehlohonolo Seema’s charges created a couple of chances themselves and Brandon Petersen was called into action for the first time on 25 minutes to keep out Meshack Maphangule’s effort from inside the box.
However, they almost fell behind two minutes later as Shabalala saw his strike come back off the crossbar, while Happy Mashiane directed a header just wide of the left post on 32 minutes from Reeve Frosler’s cross.
Petersen then pulled off a fine save to deny Siphelele Luthuli from range on 35 minutes to ensure the two teams went into the break at level pegging.
Amakhosi looked reinvigorated after the restart as they went in search of the opening goal, with Du Preez failing to keep his shot down from inside the area on 53 minutes before Yusuf Maart narrowly missed the target from range in the 64th minute.
Ronald Pfumbidzai wasn’t able to take the chance that came his way moments later when he steered a header well over the bar from a corner and the action quickly switched back to the other end as Shabalala forced Kazapua into a save with an ambitious strike from distance.
Kazapua was also required to save Saile’s shot from inside the box on the right on 72 minutes but the deadlock was broken just seconds later as Du Preez curled the ball beyond the Chippa goalkeeper into the top right corner of the net from range.
Shabalala threatened again with six minutes left on the clock after being played in by a superb pass from Frosler but he only succeeded in clearing the target from inside the box.
Chippa United: (0) 0
Kaizer Chiefs: (0) 1 (Du Preez 72′)
Chippa United: L. Kazapua, T. Makhele, R. Pietersen, R. Pfumbidzai, A. Ntsabo (A. Banda 56′), T. Lebitso, B. Poggenpoel, S. Luthuli (R. Maarman 83′), S. Abrahams (T. Mini 46′), M. Maphangule (A. Mbenyane 56′), E. Ighodaro (D. Chauke 62′).
Kaizer Chiefs: B. Petersen, R. Frosler, S. Ngezana, N. Ngcobo, S. Hlanti, Y. Maart, S. Sithebe, A. Du Preez (L. Matlou 90+3′), M. Shabalala (D. Solomons 88′), H. Mashiane (K. Sekgota 71′), C. Saile.
© Backpage TXT
SOURCED FROM THE PSL WEBSITE.
