Kaizer Chiefs kept their CAF Champions League hopes alive with a 1-0 victory over Chippa United at a packed Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
DStv Premiership
Result: Chippa United 0-1 Kaizer Chiefs
Date: 27 April 2023
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Chiefs made five changes from their loss against Sekhukhune United, as Sifiso Hlanti and Siyethemba Sithebe returned from suspension alongside recalls for Mduduzi Shabalala, Happy Mashiane and a rare start for Njabulo Ngcobo, in place of the injured Edmilson Dove.
Amakhosi were on the front foot in the early stages but they were yet to create clear-cut chances, with a couple of offside calls for Ashley Du Preez.
After absorbing the pressure, Chippa gave Chiefs a scare on 25 minutes with their first attack after Meshack Maphangule had space in the box from a cut-back by Thabiso Lebitso but his low shot was straight at goalkeeper Brandon Petersen.
Arthur Zwane's charges increased the tempo of their game and Shabalala was unlucky not to break the deadlock a minute later with a first-time shot in the box that rattled the crossbar after a square pass by Christian Saile Basomboli.
Chiefs continued to put the Chilli Boys under pressure and nearly forced an own goal on the stroke of half-time after Azola Ntsabo's scuffed clearance looped underneath the crossbar shot-stopper Lloyd Kazapua parried it over the top.
The Glamour Boys were fired up after the break and Du Preez had a big chance to break the deadlock seven minutes in after a headed pass by Basomboli in the box but he blasted his volley over the crossbar.
Chippa advanced forward as the second-half progressed and opened up spaces at the back and the visitors looked to exploit the spaces with 20 minutes left as Kgaogelo Sekgota replaced Mashiane.
As the game opened up, Du Preez eventually got the opener for Amakhosi a minute later with a curling shot on the edge of the box that sailed into the far, taking his tally to six league goals.
Chiefs sat deep in the closing stages and made a defensive and tactical change in the dying minutes as Dillan Solomons replaced Shabalala.
Amakhosi were living dangerously as Lehlohonolo Seema's troops had a goal disallowed in stoppage time for a foul on Petersen and the Soweto giants held on to reduce the deficit behind third-placed Orlando Pirates to two points in fourth spot and three points behind second-placed SuperSport United.
Here's how they line up:
Chippa United: 1. Kazapua, 34. Makhele, 5. Pietersen, 15. Pfumbidzai, 3. Ntsabo, 28. Lebitso, 6. Poggenpoel, 36. Luthuli, 12. Abrahams, 26. Maphangule, 37. Ighodaro
Subs: 32. Nwabali, 4. Banda, 7. Mbenyane, 8. Mini, 17. Maarman, 20. Mathiane, 24. Konqobe, 31. Chauke, 45. Mqokozo
Kaizer Chiefs: 1. Petersen, 23. Hlanti, 27. Ngcobo, 30. Ngezana, 39. Frosler, 8. Maart, 6. Sithebe, 42. Shabalala, 19. Mashiane, 9. Du Preez, 21. Salie
Subs: 32. Khune, 3. Mathoho, 18. Kwinika, 18. Solomons, 17. Alexander, 22. Matlou, 37. Zwane, 36. Duba, 14. Sekgota
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