Wasteful Chiefs Miss Out On Top Spot After Shock Loss

Kaizer Chiefs squandered the chance to move top of the DStv Premiership standings after suffering a defeat to Chippa United on Saturday evening.

DStv Premiership

Result: Kaizer Chiefs 1-2 Chippa United

Date: 15 October 2022

Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium

Chiefs made only one enforced change, as goalkeeper Brandon Petersen took the place of the injured Itumeleng Khune, while Zitha Kwinika was named on the bench after his return from suspension alongside Khama Billiat.

Amakhosi threatened in the opening exchanges with the movement of Ashley Du Preez and Bimenyimana upfront and the former had a chance on 16 minutes after finding space in the box and pulled the trigger but his shot was blocked.

Arthur Zwane's charges, however, found resistance from Chippa as Kgaogelo Sekgota and Du Preez switched flanks and the move nearly paid off around the half-hour mark after Sekgota played a decisive cut-back from the right but Keagan Dolly, who could only fire straight at goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua.

The Glamour Boys gained momentum as they put the visitors under pressure and Siyabonga Ngezana eventually broke the deadlock shortly before the halftime break with a header from Dolly's corner.

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The second stanza got off to a lively start, as Chippa had a goal disallowed six minutes from the interval for offside after a tap-in by substitute Etiosa Ighodaro at the back post.

Morgan Mammila's troops grew heart and Siphelele Luthuli eventually restored parity a couple of minutes later with a clinical low strike after reacting quickest to a loose ball in the box.

Zwane reacted with a double tactical change just before the hour-mark, as Billiat replaced Sekgota and Siyethemba Sithebe came on for Du Preez.

Chiefs looked to open up Chippa with combination play and Sithebe had a chance to score the winner in the last 12 minutes after he was teed up by Billiat just inside the box but he looped his volley over the crossbar.

Zwane's men remained patient and Dolly had a big chance with five minutes remaining after he latched onto a back-heel by Billiat to go through on goal in the box but his toe-poked shot missed the bottom corner agonizingly wide.

The Chilli Boys caught Amakhosi napping at the back in the dying minutes as they took the lead after Pfumbidzai's header deflected off Dove and sailed into the back of the net.

Bimenyimana had a big chance to level matters for Amakhosi shortly thereafter but missed a sitter with only Kazapua to beat, Chippa held on to move up to seventh on the log while Chiefs remain in fourth spot.

Here's how they lined up:

Kaizer Chiefs: 1. Petersen, 39. Frosler, 2. Dove, 20. Ngezana, 23. Hlanti, 45. Blom, 8. Maart, 10. Dolly, 9. Du Preez, 14. Sekgota, 28. Bimenyimana

Subs: 44. Bvuma, 11. Billiat, 17. Alexander, 24. Kwinika, 18. Solomons, 12. Nk. Ngcobo, 6. Sithebe, 22. Matlou, 37. Zwane

Chippa United: 1. Kazapua, 2. Mdunyelwa, 5. Pietersen, 10. Matrose, 14. Mkhize, 14. Mkhize, 15. Pfumbidzai, 17. Maarman, 20. Mathiane, 28. Lebitso, 29. Kambindu, 36. Luthuli

Subs: 16. Mnyataza, 33. Chabalala, 25. Kammies, 3. Ntsabo, 27. Manona, 6. Poggenpoel, 26. Maphangule, 24. Konqobe, 37. Ighodaro

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