Chippa United edged AmaZulu FC 2-1 at a packed Buffalo City Stadium in the season’s last Betway Premiership match to be hosted in East London on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors started strong in the opening minutes, controlling possession while Chippa United struggled to find rhythm. However, the Eastern Cape side quickly found their rhythm and began to apply pressure.
Twenty minutes in, Enock Sakala capitalised on a rebound after Veli Mothwa initially saved Aviwe Mqokozo’s shot, slotting the ball into the back of the net.
Craig Martin doubled the lead with a brilliant finish in a one-on-one situation against Mothwa after outpacing Sandile Mthethwa, who couldn’t keep up with the speedster. Usuthu began testing Darren Johnson, who stepped in for first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who was absent due to international duty.
Johnson pulled off a brilliant double save, but Tshepang Moremi eventually found the breakthrough, pulling one back for AmaZulu. The teams went into the halftime break with Chippa leading 2-1.
In the second half, the Durban side looked revitalised, searching for an equaliser, but Johnson pulled a stellar shot-stopper performance, helping his side maintain the lead and collect the three points.
The Arthur Zwane-coached AmaZulu dominated possession, averaging 65 percent. They recorded more shots on goal [15], compared to the hosts’ 12. Six of AmaZulu’s shots were on target, while five from Chippa were accurate.
WHAT THE WIN MEANS FOR CHIPPA UNITED
The result saw the Eastern Cape side move to ninth place after playing 21 games. Chippa have collected 28 points. Meanwhile, the Chilli Boys’ next home game will be against Kaizer Chiefs on 19 April.
The match will be hosted at the Nelson Mandela Bay in Port Elizabeth. Their last home game of the season is against Mamelodi Sundowns at the same venue. That fixture is scheduled for 24 May.
Report by Sino Tompela
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