Chippa earn another point in bid to stave off relegation
Chippa United picked up another valuable point when they drew 0-0 with Swallows FC in their DStv Premiership soccer clash at Dobsonville Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
It was a welcome result for the Chilli Boys as they jumped up to 12th place and are now safe from the prospect of relegation.
With one round remaining, the Gqeberha side moved to 29 points, ahead of Maritzburg United (28 points with two games left), TS Galaxy (27 points), and Swallows and Baroka, who are both on 25 points.
The Dobsonville result means the Birds stay in 15th place (the relegation playoff berth), but lead 16th-placed Baroka FC, who romped to an impressive home win over SuperSport United, only on goal difference heading into the final round of the campaign next weekend.
There is also a two-point gap to the safety of 14th, occupied by TS Galaxy, who were held 0-0 by Marumo Gallants.
Swallows offered the first threat on goal in just the second minute, with a Kamohelo Mahlatsi shot from the edge of the box deflecting off a Chippa defender and forcing Lloyd Kazapua into a sharp save.
The Birds bossed most of the first half-hour, though clear chances were hard to come by.
The best saw Mahlatsi play a clever pass in behind the Chippa defence for Kagiso Malinga, but the striker sent a low effort wide of Kazapua’s left-hand upright.
Dillon Solomons was lively down the right flank for Swallows but missed out on a chance to put his side in the lead on 35 minutes when he exchanged passes with Malinga before firing wide from a tight angle with only the goalkeeper to beat.
The Birds suffered an injury blow late in the first half when holding midfielder Givemore Khupe succumbed to a heavy knock to the shoulder and was replaced by Mbulelo Wambi. The interval arrived with the score still locked at 0-0.
Chippa made no less than four changes at the start of the second half, with Thokozani Sekotlong, Zuko Mdunyelwa, Veluyeke Zulu and Azola Matrose rising off the bench to be introduced.
Swallows’ second change arrived just before the hour mark and saw Ruzaigh Gamildien introduced.
His presence in attack immediately brought about a strong shout for a penalty for the hosts, but the referee waved away their appeals.
Swallows kept up the pressure in attack, but were unable to find a way through, with Chippa — who clearly came to Soweto with the sole ambition of keeping a clean sheet — holding firm to secure topflight football for next season.
The teams are scheduled to complete their DStv Premiership campaigns on Saturday.
Swallows will be away to Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs, while Chippa United will play* host to TS Galaxy.
Meanwhile, Stellenbosch beat a strangely lethargic Mamelodi Sundowns 3-0 to cement their place in the top eight on the DStv Premiership soccer standings at the Tuks Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday.
This vital DStv Premiership win for Stellenbosch was secured through a brace of goals from attacker Ashley du Preez and Jayden Adams as they took advantage of some sloppy defending by Sundowns.
Stellenbosch joined AmaZulu and Maritzburg United as the only three teams who have managed to beat this rampaging Sundowns side that has already won the league.
In the other crucial match of the afternoon, Kaizer Chiefs refreshed their chances of qualifying for the Caf Champions League with a hard fought 1-0 win over Sekhukhune United at Ellis Park.
Chiefs’ goal was scored by a towering header by defender Ramahlwe Mphahlele in the 38th minute after Sekhukhune United defenders failed to clear a set piece.
Because of this win, Amakhosi remain in the hunt for a place in the Champions League or Confederation Cup where they are battling with Cape Town City and Royal AM.