In a tense encounter at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Chippa United and Kaizer Chiefs played to a goalless draw on April 19, 2025, in the Betway Premiership. This result leaves both teams with crucial points as they aim for a top-eight finish in the league.
Coming off a thrilling victory in the Nedbank Cup semi-final against Mamelodi Sundowns, the Chiefs entered the match with high hopes. They had just ended a four-match winless streak in the league, and head coach Nasreddine Nabi was eager to build on this momentum. However, the Chiefs found themselves unable to break down a resilient Chippa United side.
As the match kicked off, both teams were aware of the stakes. Chiefs sat eighth in the league standings with 30 points after 24 matches, while Chippa trailed closely in ninth with 29 points from 22 games. The tension was palpable, with both sides eager to secure a win to bolster their chances of finishing in the coveted top eight.
The first half saw a flurry of activity, but neither team could find the back of the net. Chippa started strong, earning three corners in the opening seven minutes, showcasing their intent to dominate the match. However, despite their early pressure, they struggled to convert opportunities into clear chances.
In the 25th minute, Chippa believed they had a strong case for a penalty when Edmilson Dove fouled Justice Chabalala, but referee Abongile Tom waved their appeals away. Just minutes later, Sirgio Kammies had a chance to open the scoring but hesitated at a crucial moment, allowing the Chiefs defense to recover.
As the half progressed, it became evident that both teams were struggling with their finishing. Wandile Duba and Tashreeq Morris both came close for the Chiefs, but their efforts failed to trouble Chippa’s goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali.
At halftime, the score remained 0-0, and both coaches were faced with the challenge of igniting their teams offensively. Nabi made two changes at the break, bringing on Njabulo Blom and Makabi Lilepo for Tashreeq Morris and Dillon Solomons, hoping to inject fresh energy into the Chiefs' attack.
The second half saw a slight increase in tempo from both sides. The Chiefs, in particular, began to assert themselves more, with Duba coming close again in the 62nd minute, but his header went wide. Despite their possession, the Chiefs struggled to create clear-cut opportunities.
Chippa, on the other hand, remained a threat on the counter but also found it difficult to penetrate the Chiefs’ defense. The game became increasingly frantic as both teams pushed for a winner, resulting in several yellow cards being issued, including cautions for Chabalala and Sirino.
As the match drew to a close, the lack of goals became a source of frustration for both sets of fans. The final whistle blew with a scoreline of 0-0, leaving the Chiefs in eighth place with 30 points and Chippa in ninth with 30 points, both teams still vying for a better position as the season approaches its climax.
Looking ahead, the Chiefs will face relegation strugglers Marumo Gallants next Saturday, while Chippa will travel to Stellenbosch on the same day. Both teams will need to regroup quickly as they aim to secure their spots in the top eight before the season concludes.
