Cup for Chiefs, but can Chippa survive?

NOT even a Hollywood scriptwriter could have dreamt up a better ending to the Premiership soccer season, which reaches a climax at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium tomorrow.

Taking centre stage are “glamour boys” Kaizer Chiefs and the Bay’s Chippa United, who are fighting to avoid the dreaded big drop from the top flight into the lower leagues.

Whatever the outcome of the contest, Chiefs will be crowned PSL champions after a magnificent season and they will have their moment of glory when the glittering trophy is handed over post-match.

Though Chiefs clinched the trophy a few weeks ago, the PSL decided they would wait until the final day of the season before crowning them as champions.

The presence of Chiefs will ensure the stadium is buzzing with one of the biggest crowds of the season, many of whom will be supporting Amakhosi.

Though much of the attention will be on Chiefs, the focus will also be firmly on Chippa, who need a draw to ensure they avoid relegation.

It is a tight race at the bottom of the table and with all the games kicking off at the same time, Chippa fans may be left sitting on the edge of their seats up until the final whistle as they await news from other teams involved in the relegation battle.

Bay fans will be hoping that Chippa retain their Premiership berth and that the region remains a host for top-flight soccer in the years to come.

Several sectors of the Bay economy reap rich benefits from having a team campaigning at the highest level of the South African professional game.

Celebrity Chiefs fans from all over the country are expected to flock into the Bay tomorrow to watch the last act of what has been a pulsating season.

But Chippa United will be looking to be party spoilers and keep themselves afloat.