Chippa United maintained their unbeaten record at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane last night when they played to a 0-0 draw with Bidvest Wits in a Premier Soccer League game.
It was not the best of games as both sides played in patches. Things got off to a slow start, with Chippa taking the game to Wits but failing to penetrate the Clever Boys.
Wits for their part seemed happy to sit back and try to catch the Chilli Boys on the counter.
Ref Naasif Julius had the whole Chippa bench on its feet in the 12th minute when, instead of playing advantage, he blew his whistle and gave the home side a free kick while Menzi Masuku was clear on goals.
It took 38 minutes for striker Lerato Manzini to get near the ball as Wits blocked Chippa from playing their traditional attacking game.
In a surprising move Chippa assistant coaches Mbuyiselo Sambu and Zipho Dlangalala broke up the midfield combination of captain Thamsanqa Sangweni, Buyani Sali and Sandile Zuke when they relegated Zuke to the bench and put Xolani Mdaki in the starting lineup.
The Port Elizabeth-based outfit played patchily and just could not find the kind of football that made them one of the must-watch teams in the PSL.
Chippa had a golden opportunity in the 43rd minute when Wits goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs failed to deal with a cross from Masuku in the best chance of the dull first half, but they failed to capitalise.
The second half started better than the first with Wits coming out the brightest, and they had a chance cleared off the line by Mpho Mvelase.
Chippa goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi dropped what should have been a routine shot straight at him but the right back was at the right place at the right time and cleared the ball off the line.
Sambu and Dlangalala brought in Zuke in the 47th minute in place of Paseka Mako.
Mdaki dropped into central defence to partner with Justice Chabalala while Diamond Thopola slotted in at left back.
The introduction of skilful Wits player Phakamani Mahlambi in place of Gabadinho Mhango almost proved a genius move as he forced a save from Akpeyi.
Not to be outdone, Zuke also got the Chilli Boys playing and sent a beautiful pass to Lerato Manzini, but the striker shot wide early in the second stanza.
Zuke also showed great defensive work by tracking back and winning the ball back when he lost it.
Mdaki slotted in beautifully at central defence and put in a perfectly timed tackle to stop Mahlambi, who would have been one-on-one with Akpeyi had he missed the tackle.
Searching for the goal, Chippa introduced Rhulani Manzini in place of Andile Mbenyane, but the Wits defenders stood firm.
Rhulani, who made intelligent runs, almost scored the only goal of the game in the 90th minute – but Slim Kat was positioned well and pulled a good save.