Lacklustre Kaizer Chiefs suffered yet another defeat to Chippa United (2-0) as they were shambolic in their third loss in four DStv Premiership matches. Chiefs went to the encounter looking to honour and pay tribute to their late defender Luke Fleurs, but things went sour for them in East London.
The clash was staged at Buffalo City Municipality Stadium on Saturday afternoon as coach Cavin Johnson was looking to turn the corner. However, the Chilli Boys were too strong for them as Thabo September and Kwanele Kopo piled more pressure and misery on the Soweto giant.
Chiefs Were Shambolic in East London vs. Chippa
Between the goalposts was Bruce Bvuma but the Naturena-based outfit was porous as former Orlando Pirates star, Bienvenu Eva Nga scored the opener with a powerful header from a throw in the 20th minute. In the 32nd minute, the hosts were too strong for the visitors, and Chiefs conceded again for the second time in the clash when Sinoxolo Kwayiba grabbed the winner via a wonderful team goal.
Despite Amakhosi showing intention to get a goal first with Edmilson Dove, they also wasted two glorious chances in the opening five minutes.
Chiefs vs Chippa: Amakhosi Wasteful in Front of Goal
Having lost their previous encounter to Stellenbosch in their midweek clash before Fleurs’ death, Chiefs were under pressure to return to winning ways, but it wasn’t to be. Striker Ranga Chivaviro also had two chances, one saved by Chippa keeper Darren Johnson who started in the Chippa goals in the absence of suspended Stanley Nwabali.
In what was a packed affair in the Eastern Cape, Eva Nga also wasted an opportunity to get a bracing moment before his side’s second goal, with only the Chiefs goalkeeper, Bvuma to beat but he shot over the bar.
In the second half, Chippa continued their momentum with Ayabulela Konqobe almost getting a third goal in the 59th minute. Four minutes later Chiefs had a chance to pull one back but Johnson denied Christian Saile. The keeper made another save denying Dove in the 72nd minute.
Chiefs vs Chippa: Johnson Reacts to the Defeat
The former Al Ahly mentor looks at what is Chiefs’ problem as they are now set to finish their season without a trophy for nine seasons. At the same time, the Glamour Boys are set to face another absence in continental football as far as the CAF Champions and Confederation Cup are concerned.
“Like you said, one step forward, two steps backward. I thought the first 20 minutes of the game belonged to us, we entered their area where we were supposed to score goals, probably 5-6 times,” said Johnson after the match.
“We break, we’re supposed to score but we don’t put it in the back of the net and then we suffer afterwards. Then we give away [two goals] – the first goal was very soft from an out-ball throw, the second goal we don’t put pressure on the ball and they also get into the box and they score two goals. Coming out their tails are high, we have to go at them. You see the second half, I thought we played in one half in the second half but again the goalkeeper makes a magic save with Sithebe’s shot, Ranga doesn’t put the ball in the ball in the net, Ashley doesn’t come into the box to get something out of it.”
“We’re just not calm enough in the box, the rest I’m happy with, they put the effort. And the changes, I don’t think the changes changed the game so much. They were just not calm enough to put the ball in the back of the net. We’re gonna take two steps back now and come back and really, really work on what we’re trying to achieve, because right now we’re in a little bit of a whole, and the people that can get us out there are the players. So we take inspection in the players and take ourselves out.”
Chiefs: What’s Next for Amakhosi
As they are out of the Nedbank Cup competition, Amakhosi will now turn their focus to a decent finish in the league. They have a break as some of the clubs are in the Ke Yona tournament to rectify their errors. They will meet Richards Bay who are facing the relegation axe on April 20 at King Zwelithini Stadium.
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