Chippa United reached their first ever domestic cup final after they beat Pretoria Callies 1-0 in their Nedbank Cup semi-final at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium.
Despite reaching the last four of the cup, both teams had coaches on the the bench who had not got them to this stage. Joel Masutha, who coached fellow semi-finalists TTM for the first half of the season, replaced Sammy Troughton at Callies, while former assistant coach Siyabulela Gwambi was in charge of Chippa after Dan Malesela departed.
Pretoria Callies 0-1 Chippa United
It was the DStv Premiership outfit who tried to take early control of the game, against a Callies team who were facing top tier opponents for the first time in the competition. In all three previous round Callies had faced GladAfrica teams, winning all three games via penalty shoot-outs.
While Chippa are struggling in the top flight, they are currently 15th, this was new territory for Callies, who are 11th in the GladAfrica Championship, their first season in professional football since Troughton promoted them from the ABC Motsepe leagues.
Thabiso Lebitso had a chance for Chippa in the 13th minute, but his effort from outside the area flew high and wide.
Callies first effort came four minutes later, as William Twala got to the end of a Thabo Moloi cross, but he mis-kicked his shot and it flew over.
Twala was on target in the 26th minute but Rashid Watenga made a good save to deny Callies’ latest signing, as the GladAfrica team began to grow in confidence.
Thabiso Nkoana had a chance for Callies just before halftime, but Watenga made the save, and at halftime the score remained goalless.
Callies had a great chance in the 50th minute as Watenga found himself in no mans land, but Nkoana took too long to take advantage, and the Ugandan goalkeeper was able to get back into his box, and stop Nkoana’s attempted pass.
Chippa grabbed he lead in the 63rd minute as Sandile Mthethwa pounced on a defensive error in the box and volleyed past Itumeleng Luse.
Pogiso Mahlangu had a good opportunity for Calliies, but his header from in front of goal, flew over Watenga’s goal.
Watenga was in trouble in the 77th minute as he fouled Mahlangu outside the box, but he was fortunate to only get a yellow card.
Chippa could’ve wrapped it up in stoppage time as both Oupa Manyisa and Anthony Laffor, the pair having come on as substitutes, had half chances.
With Callies unable to find the equaliser, Chippa were able to hold on to the win and move in to their first ever final.
