Kaizer Chiefs fell to a 1-0 defeat against Chippa United in Saturday afternoon’s Betway Premiership encounter at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
Sammy Seabi’s solitary goal saved his side from direct relegation. The victory guaranteed their safety, sparing them from having to rely on other results had they drawn or lost.
Chiefs gave a lot of fringe players—including Takalani Mazhamba, Luke Baartman, and Naledi Hlongwane—an opportunity. Meanwhile, Brandon Truter also made several changes as he sought crucial points in what was a dead rubber for the Phefeni Glamour Boys.
The home side fell into a massive opportunity in the fifth minute of the game when Hlongwane got behind the defence after a pass from Mfundo Vilakazi. However, Abbubaker Mobara came in with a strong tackle to stop the young attacker.
Both sides continued to create opportunities; Chiefs seemed to be on the front foot but couldn’t find an early breakthrough. Both defensive lines stood resolute, allowing very little inside their respective penalty boxes.
The visitors turned up the heat towards the half-hour mark, mounting non-stop attacks in the final third to force a breakthrough. Those constant attacks paid off when the Chilli Boys snatched the lead in the 33rd minute against the run of play, with Sammy Seabi firing home after being set up by Justice Figareido.
Chippa came agonizingly close to doubling their lead in the 37th minute when Sirgio Kammies unleashed a thunderous effort, forcing a brilliant parried save from Mazhamba. `
The score was 1-0 with Chippa leading at half-time.
Amakhosi came back in the second half and made a couple of attempts to push forward, but it was difficult for them to create clear-cut chances.
For Chippa, they just kept on managing the game—particularly in midfield—by denying the hosts space to play, limiting their own forward runs, and protecting their lead.
With the win, the Chippa Mpengesi-owned side remained 13th in the league standings, ending the campaign with 28 points after a total of 30 matches.